GORE, GEORGE H, 88, long-time resident of Sea Ranch Lakes, Florida, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at home, surrounded by his family, under the care of Hospice by the Sea. George was the son of Robert H and Lorena Gore, born in Oak Park, Illinois on June 22, 1923; his family moved to Fort Lauderdale when he was seven years old. After graduating from Fort Lauderdale High School in 1941, George entered the University of Notre Dame and majored in Chemistry. Before completing his junior year, he enlisted in the U. S. Army, and was assigned to the 44th Infantry Division. In December of 1944, he was wounded at Breckenridge, Luxembourg during the Battle of the Bulge. For his valor he was decorated with two purple hearts and a bronze star. Having been honorably discharged from the service, he returned to the University of Notre Dame to pursue a JD and then to New York University for a LLM in Taxation. On June 27, 1946, he married Leona O'Grady of Salina, Kansas, whom he met on a blind date in 1944, just before he was shipped overseas. In 1950 they moved to Florida where George began his 53-year law practice, eventually becoming a Senior Partner in Saunders, Curtis, Ginestra, & Gore.

George was known for his ability to offer sage advice or a joke for any occasion. Over the years, he served in many civic, community, and charitable organizations. He was a founder and board member of the Ralph J. Baudhuin Oral School of Nova University, Fort Lauderdale; trustee and chairman of Holy Cross Hospital, Fort Lauderdale; founder and chairman of Educational Consultants, Fort Lauderdale; founder, corporator, and council member of the Village of Sea Ranch Lakes, Florida; member of the University of Notre Dame Law Advisory Council; board member of Hospice Care of Broward County, Inc.; member of Florida Governors Challenge program; director of North American Company, Fort Lauderdale; trustee and chairman of the Gore Family Memorial Foundation Trust, Fort Lauderdale; board member of Broward County Heart Association member of the Florida Bar Association since 1948 and founder of its Tax Law section; member of Coral Ridge County Club, Fort Lauderdale, among others.

George was dedicated to helping others and devoted to his faith. In 2000, in recognition of his kindness and generosity, he was awarded the Papal Order of Saint Gregory the Great. Before retirement George began oil painting as a hobby, becoming an accomplished artist without any formal instruction. He exhibited widely and his work is represented in permanent collections at the University of Notre Dame, Carlow College, Holy Cross Hospital and Convent, Assumption Church and private collections throughout the United States, South America, and Europe.

George held endearing, traditional values about marriage and family life. The loved ones who attended to his needs during his prolonged illness were his wife, Leona Marie, and his children Stephen Gore (Anh Mai) of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Gregory Gore of Sebastian, FL, and Kathleen Gore Whitney (Walter) of Washington, CT along with grandchildren, Stephanie, Matthew, Sara, Jenifer and April. Family members will celebrate his life on Saturday, February 18, from 4-8 pm at Kraeer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 4061 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale and on Monday, February 20th in a holy mass at 1:30 pm at Our Lady of Assumption Church, 2001 Ocean Blvd., Lauderdale-by-the Sea. He will be laid to rest at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery. Donations in his name may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/