George T Sleet

Obituary George Thomas Sleet, 74, passed away May 17th in the Tacoma home he lovingly remodeled and maintained for more than 40 years. His wife and daughter were by his side. Born June 12, 1941 to Josephine (Delaney) and Arthur Sleet, George grew up in Tacoma's Fern Hill neighborhood. He graduated from Bellarmine Preparatory School and Pacific Lutheran University and served in the Marine Reserve. He spent nearly 40 years working for APA - The Engineered Wood Association, retiring as Vice President/Secretary in 2003. He made many lifelong friends there. George loved his family and especially enjoyed holiday gatherings throughout the year, where he was always the last one at the dinner table. In his younger years, he loved racing motorcycles in the woods. He made the most of his retirement by traveling to Alaska and the Queen Charlotte Islands to fish for salmon; trips he anticipated all year long. He also spent considerable time clearing trails with his friends at the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition. George could fix anything, and welcomed every opportunity to do so. Friends and family relied on his skills to repair cars, ceiling fans, outboard motors, plumbing and electrical issues, and anything else that was broken. He was particularly skilled in woodworking and carved numerous items, both useful and decorative. His basement workroom is filled with his tools and crafts. He loved spending time in Grayland, Wash., on the Washington coast, in the cabin he built with friends and family in 1977. He was also the person friends and coworkers turned to in times of crisis. George helped everyone out, no matter what the problem, no questions asked. He was that kind of friend - non-judgmental, trustworthy and discrete. George was predeceased by his sister Margaret Starkovich and brother-in-law Terry Hoban. He is survived by his wife Gail, daughter Sheila Cain (Jason), grandson Oliver Bacon, sister Catherine Bunger (John), sisters-in-law Marilyn Hoban and Judy Hoban, brothers-in-law Frank Hoban and Tim Hoban (Kris), and several nieces, nephews and friends. At his request, there will be no funeral services. Instead, all are welcome to come celebrate George's life at an open house at the family's home in Tacoma June 12 (on what would have been his 75th birthday) from noon to 5 p.m. Please bring a photo or story of George to share. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to the University of Washington's Alzheimer 's Disease Research Fund (http://depts.washington.edu/adrcweb/). Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.