Mr. George R. Gooley of Mount Clemens passed away Friday at McLaren Hospital Mount Clemens after fighting illness on and off for the past five years. He was 71 years old. He was born September 21, 1946 to Russell and Marion (Krupitzer) Gooley at Saint Joseph Hospital in Mount Clemens.

On March 30, 1968 he married "the love of his life," Kathleen Pohlman. George retired in January of 1999 from Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan, where he worked as a Senior Product Design Engineer. Prior to that, he worked at Allied Chemical where he pioneered the development of the airbag and improved seatbelt safety.

Mr. Gooley was a 1965 graduate of St. Mary's School where he attended all 12 years. During his time at St. Mary's High School, he earned numerous honors on the basketball team. Following high school, he attended Macomb Community College. He was an Honor Graduate of the Construction Drafting Course of the United States Army Engineer School. He continued his education throughout his career as a highly respected engineer.

He proudly served the U.S. Army as a Specialist 5th Class. He was a member of the American Legion Post 4 of Mount Clemens. He was a past member of the Michigan Woodworkers' Guild, Usher for St. Peter's Church, and a past member of Mount Clemens Lions Club.

George was devoted to his family. He enjoyed old television shows (M*A*S*H), cars, camping, boating, traveling, and driving his golf cart. He loved sports, especially Tiger baseball and NCAA basketball (Duke was his favorite team); March Madness was his favorite time of year!

Surviving are his wife, Kathleen, and two daughters, Denise Zweng of Harrison Township and Dawn (Gustavo) Grodsinsky of Hemlock, Michigan. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Katarina, Lauren and Christian Zweng, and Sierra and Sydney Grodsinsky. His foster brother Dale (Rosanne) Chinneck, and son in law, Robert Zweng. Beloved pets are Smucker and Missy.

A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at St. Peter's Catholic Church at 95 Market St. in Mount Clemens with the Reverend Michael Cooney officiating.

Gathering will be at 10:30 a.m. at the church and the interment with honors will be determined at a later date at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly.