George G. Froese
March 14 1922- June 29 2020
Peacefully entered into rest on Monday, June 29, 2020 at the Belleville General Hospital. George Froese of Belleville died at the age of 98. He was the son of the late Gerhard & Katharina Froese (nee Friesen) and husband of the late Cleona Margaret “Connie” (nee Enns). George was the father of the late Reverend Steward Gene Froese (surviving Lillian Jean) of Brockville and Joy Margaret Froese (Lynn) of Henderson, Nevada. He was the grandfather of James Rombough Froese and Jeannette Margaret Froese LeBlanc (Carl) and great grandfather of Bryson and Ella Froese LeBlanc. George is survived by his sisters Mary Dyck and Kathrina “Tina” Dyck, both of Morden, Manitoba. He is predeceased by his brother Isaac Froese (surviving Margaret) of Winnipeg, Manitoba. George will be fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews.
Born in Plum Coulee, Manitoba, George is the son of the late Gerhard Froese and Katharina (Friesen) Froese. He received a Master’s of Education degree from the University of Manitoba, however, he gave up his teaching job when he joined the military to help with efforts in World War II. After WWII, he moved to the Personnel and Education branch of the Royal Canadian Air Force and worked to develop programs for military members leaving the forces and returning to work or school. These programs helped colleges and universities give prior learning credits for military training.
His next assignment with the RCAF was with the Technical and Armament branch with the 446 SAM Squadron in North Bay Ontario. Major Froese was the commander of a detachment of RCAF personnel who worked on the programming of the Bomarc missiles during the cold war. One of his proudest moments in his career was in 1966 when his team demonstrated to the American Airforce at Elgin Air Force Base in Florida how to launch the missiles and his team very successfully hit a supersonic target 300 miles away.
Major Froese’s biggest impact on the world today, is a little-known fact that he only recently shared as information about the Cold War became declassified. Major Froese was one of four officers to have a key to launch the missiles from the NORAD center in North Bay in the event of an attack. There was an occasion when Russian Bombers were flying over Canada on an assumed path to large American cities. It was decided by the powers to be that missiles should be launched at Russia. Major Froese hesitated. He thought about recent things said by the Russian President Nikita Khrushchev and the flight path of the bomber planes. He did not turn his key. In the seconds that he paused, the Russian planes pulled up and turned around. His family shares this story now, as to us he is a great unsung hero. We can’t even imagine what life would be like if he had not stopped to reflect instead of accepting the command to turn the key.
Along with his career in the RCAF. George Froese was also a teacher. He began his career in Elementary education. He was a leader and teacher in the military and when he retired from the service he went back to teaching and joined the faculty at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario. Along with his talents and passion for teaching, George was also an avid photographer, golfer and outdoorsman. He loved camping with his family and together they camped in many provinces and states.
Upon his second career retirement, he and his wife Connie set out on adventures to Hawaii and Mexico. They settled in Sarasota, Florida and enjoyed their time together watching sunsets and visiting with friends and family.
In keeping with George’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Graveside Memorial Service will be held at a later date at the Belleville Cemetery Niche Wall. Arrangements in the care of the Belleville Funeral Home & Chapel, 68 North Front Street, Belleville (613-968-5080). If desired donations in George Froese’s name can be made to Wounded Warriors Canada or to Belleville General Hospital. Online condolences and to share memories of George, please visit: www.rushnellfamilyservices.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of George Gerhard Froese Monday June 29th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Belleville, Province: Ontario