Nov 7, 2018

George R. Hirst, 89, of Lorain, Ohio, passed away Monday, November 5, 2018, in Mercy Regional Health Center, Lorain, following an extended illness.

Mr. Hirst was born March 2, 1929, in Canonsburg, a son of the late George and Eula L. Wilson Hirst.

He was a graduate of Trinity High School. The family moved to Lorain in 1958, when he was transferred to the Wilson Freight Forwarding terminal in Cleveland, Ohio.

He was an active member of Heritage Presbyterian Church in Amherst, Ohio, serving as an usher and active in the community luncheons at the church. In 2014, he became site manager for Lorain Cooperative Ministries Food Pantry at Heritage.

Mr. Hirst was a retired truck driver at J.W. Perkins in Elyria and worked for Wilson Freight Forwarding in Cleveland for many years. He was awarded the “Million Miles” Safe Driver Award several times. He was a member of the teamster union.

He was a member of Masonic Lodge 399, F&AM, in Lagrange, Ohio, and served as master three times. He was also a member of Scottish Rite Valley of Cleveland, was a 32nd Degree Mason and past president of Lorain County Scottish Rite Society and a member of Al Koran Shrine and Order of the Eastern Star Madelyn Chapter 204 in Vermilion, Ohio.

He was also a member of Sons of Amvets Post 22, Vermilion.

Mr. Hirst was the recipient of the Founders Day Luncheon Award of Distinction in 2014. He was an avid sports fan, following the Cleveland Indians and Cavaliers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He and his family could be found frequently at the Lake Erie Crushers ball field, cheering on their team.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Dolores M. Runnion Hirst; daughters Sandra L. Hirst Schoonmaker of Elyria, Ohio, and Kristi L. Hirst of Lorain; grandchildren Heather Camacho, Ana Marie (John) Pyecroft, Tabetha (Bryan) Rivera and Holly (Josh) Weisenberger; great-grandchildren Jordan Rivera, Briana Rivera, Colin Pyecroft, Brendan Oswalt, Angelina Rivera, Gabriell Thomas, Danielle Rivera, J.J. Weisenberger, Carter Pyecroft, Siera Thomas, Liberty Weisenberger and Camden Pyecroft; great-great-grandchild Andy Ross; sister Alice M. Cursi of Washington; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased, in addition to his parents, are son-in-law Don Schoonmaker, who died in 2015, and his in-laws, Alfred and Dorothy Runnion.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday evening in Heritage Presbyterian Church, 515 North Leavitt Road, Amherst, during which time Masonic services will be held. Additionally, friends may call from 11 a.m. to noon, the time of service, Friday, November 9, in the church, with the Rev. Jenni Walker-Noyes, pastor, and his daughter, the Rev. Sandra L. Hirst Schoonmaker, officiating. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township, Ohio.

The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Heritage Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 834, Amherst, OH 44001, or to American Cancer Society, 10501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106.

Condolences may be expressed at www.boyercool.com.