obituaries
'Humble, Kind And Unselfish'
Ronelle Grier
I Contributing Writer
eorge A. Orley was a lov-
ing son, a caring brother, an
accomplished athlete, a devot-
ed friend, a natural leader, a strong
advocate for those less fortunate and a
passionate supporter of Detroit.
On Aug. 26, 2013, George, 20, died as
the result of a motor vehicle accident.
George, of Bloomfield Hills, was a
student at the University of Michigan in
Ann Arbor. He was planning to spend
his junior year living and studying in
Detroit, helping rebuild the city he
loved so fervently. Prior to attending
college, he graduated from Cranbrook
Kingswood High School in Bloomfield
Hills, where he was a two-time state
champion tennis player and captain of
the tennis and basketball teams.
Close to 2,000 people gathered in
the sanctuary of Congregation Shaarey
Zedek in Southfield on Aug. 29 to
mourn the loss of the young man who
had touched so many lives during his
too-short lifetime.
"George gave 120 percent of him-
self to everyone and everything:' said
Rabbi Joseph Krakoff, who officiated at
the service with Cantor David Propis.
Tributes were also given by George's
parents, Randy and Diane Orley; his
brother and sister, Sam and Amanda
Orley; his cousin Jordan Orley; and
close friends Max Kepes and Scott
Schlafer.
"You were an amazing son, and
G
being your mom was a privilege and an
adventure," said Diane Orley, who urged
those in the audience to turn their pain
into fuel for a better world.
Randy described his son as a born
leader whose greatest contribution was
serving as mentor and role model to
his brother, Sam, and best friend to his
sister, Amanda.
"George was a gentle giant with an
incredible work ethic;' he said.
Amanda reminisced about her
brother's kindness, the wisdom that
extended beyond his years and the joy
he got from being around
the people he loved, dem-
onstrated by the unmis-
takable grin that was his
signature.
"He brought out the best
in us," she said.
Sam read from a note
posted on his brother's
bulletin board about the
importance of living a
meaningful life filled with
deep and honest relation-
ships.
George Orley
Jordan Orley said his
first cousin was a great
listener who was always on
the side of the underdog. He expressed
admiration for George's accomplish-
ments and the maturity with which he
dealt with Type 1 diabetes, which was
diagnosed at the age of 13.
"His resilience was awe-inspiring; he
overcame every obstacle with guts and
determination," said Jordan.
Next to his family, George's friends
were the cornerstone of his world.
According to childhood friend Max
Kepes, George was "the friend everyone
wanted to have" — funny, charismatic,
caring and steadfastly loyal.
"He made everyone feel like they
mattered and were important ... He
was never afraid to stand alone or look
weird," said Scott Schlafer.
Passion For Detroit
One of the ways George expressed his
passion for Detroit was through a non-
profit enterprise called
313certified, which he
co-founded with a group
of friends who shared his
desire to help strengthen
the city.
The concept, which
George described as "an
"aqui ecosystem that cares
about Detroit," was based
on a coupon program
involving local merchants
that allowed participants
to make prepaid online
donations to various char-
itable organizations.
Attorney and family
friend Larry Jackier, who had been
assisting George with his new venture,
was impressed with his young client's
business acumen as well as his passion.
"What I found most amazing is that
here is a 20-year-old kid, still in college,
who was not worried about his own
health challenges but who wanted to
help others and sustain the community
he loved," said Jackier. "I found that
pretty remarkable ... He was unique:'
The Orleys said they appreciated the
outpouring of love and support they
have received from the community
as a result of this tragedy. The fam-
ily has established a fund in George's
name through Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit, which will be
used to carry on the charitable work
that was such an important part of
their son's life, including organizations
devoted to the city of Detroit, improv-
ing mental health resources and the
treatment of diabetes.
"George was humble, kind and
unselfish," said Diane, "and our family
has made a commitment to honor him
by upholding those values and doing
whatever we can to make a positive dif-
ference in the world:'
George was the cherished son of
Randy and Diane Orley; beloved broth-
er of Amanda and Sam Orley; adored
grandson of Graham and Sally Orley,
Norman (Audrey) Kaplan, and Eva
Kaplan. He is also survived by many
loving aunts, uncles, cousins and a
world of devoted friends.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made
to the George A. Orley Memorial Fund,
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit, 6735 Telegraph Road,
Bloomfield Hills, MI, 48301, (248) 642-
4260, www.jewishdetroit.org.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.
❑
Longtime JFS Worker, Exec
M
argaret Weiner, 83, of
Huntington Woods, died Sept.
8, 2013.
In 1998, she retired after 37 years at
Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan
Detroit. She had a master's degree in
social work, and some of her roles at
JFS included case worker and, later,
supervisor. In 1980, she became the
agency's director of professional servic-
es. That position was renamed associate
executive director in 1989.
In a 1998 Jewish News story, Mrs.
Weiner attributed much of her profes-
sional growth to Sam Lerner, JFS execu-
tive director from 1963-1989.
"Sam raised me from a pup," she
said. "He knew things about me I didn't
the course of her career, she became a
know and saw things in me worth
licensed marriage and family therapist,
developing."
a certified group psycho-
Mrs. Weiner's success as
therapist and a board-certi-
a clinician earned her the
fied diplomate.
Michigan Clinical Social
Upon retiring, she told
Worker of the Year award
the Jewish News, "I'm sat-
in 1987 from the Michigan
isfied because I've done
Society of Clinical Social
what I've wanted to here,
Workers. She was also
and I know I've done well
president of that organiza-
because the agency will go
tion in 1976-77.
on once I leave
In 1997, she won the
Mrs. Weiner is survived
Mandell and Madeleine
by her nephews and nieces,
Margaret We iner
Berman Award for out-
Bennett and Elizabeth
standing professional
Mazell, and Margo and
service in Jewish communal work. Over Michael Stocker; great-nephews and
great-nieces, Brandon Mazell, Julie
Stocker and Eric Mann, and Laurie and
Kevin Skurow; great-great-nephew,
Maxwell Stockermann.
She was the beloved wife of the late
Dr. Milton Weiner.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Jewish
Family Service, 6555 W. Maple Road,
West Bloomfield, MI 48322, www.
jfsdetroit.org; or Michigan Humane
Society, 30300 Telegraph Road, Suite
220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025, www.
michiganhumane.org .
Arrangements were by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.
❑
Obituaries on page 74
Obituaries
September 12 • 2013
73