Obituary for George Nicholas Rij
George Rij, Greer, 87, husband of Donna Rij, went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 21, 2022.
He was born to the late Frank and Theresa Rij in New Jersey. George was the twelfth of thirteen children. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who enjoyed old westerns, airplanes, wood-working and apple pie. George proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and then completed his degree from San Diego City College. Afterwards, he obtained his pilot’s license and trained as a flight engineer. He worked the majority of his career at Alcoa Aluminum in Indiana until he retired. After moving to South Carolina, he went back to work at Thornblade Club in Greenville.
Surviving, in addition to his loving wife, are a son, Lance Rij of Indiana; two step-daughters, Gena May (David) of Florida and Tina Jones (John) of Greenville, SC; ten grandchildren (Anisha Hensley (Jason), Arial Young (Brigham), Aubrey, Brenden, Camryn, Mateo, Denison, Maria, Elliot Jones and Daymian Rij); and six great-grandchildren (Hunter Spalding, Isabella and Kaiden Coulter, Brooklin Young, Cody and Blake Dennis).
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Rij, his parents and all of his siblings.
The family will hold a private Celebration of Life service. At a later date, there will be a graveside service at Bluegrass Church, where he was a longtime member.
He was born to the late Frank and Theresa Rij in New Jersey. George was the twelfth of thirteen children. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who enjoyed old westerns, airplanes, wood-working and apple pie. George proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and then completed his degree from San Diego City College. Afterwards, he obtained his pilot’s license and trained as a flight engineer. He worked the majority of his career at Alcoa Aluminum in Indiana until he retired. After moving to South Carolina, he went back to work at Thornblade Club in Greenville.
Surviving, in addition to his loving wife, are a son, Lance Rij of Indiana; two step-daughters, Gena May (David) of Florida and Tina Jones (John) of Greenville, SC; ten grandchildren (Anisha Hensley (Jason), Arial Young (Brigham), Aubrey, Brenden, Camryn, Mateo, Denison, Maria, Elliot Jones and Daymian Rij); and six great-grandchildren (Hunter Spalding, Isabella and Kaiden Coulter, Brooklin Young, Cody and Blake Dennis).
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Rij, his parents and all of his siblings.
The family will hold a private Celebration of Life service. At a later date, there will be a graveside service at Bluegrass Church, where he was a longtime member.