To view the live stream Funeral Mass, please visit https://www.holyfamilygf.org/

George James Hastings , age 89, passed away at his home in Grand Forks, North Dakota on March 17, 2021, surrounded by his loving family.

George was born on August 23, 1931 in Grand Forks, ND, the son of Lillian (Cronin) and Wilmath Hastings.  George was the middle child of seven children.  George attended St. Mary's Elementary School in Grand Forks, ND and graduated from Central High School in Grand Forks, ND.

George joined the National Guard in 1951 and served in the United States Army during the Korean war.  George was stationed at Camp Rucker, Alabama.  George was honorably discharged from the Army in 1952 and returned to Grand Forks.

George loved to dance and when there was a dance; he was in attendance.  He met the love of his life, Mary Joyce Ripplinger, at a dance at the Eagle's Club in East Grand Forks, MN, and together they won many dance competitions.  They were married on October 17, 1953 at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Grand Forks, ND.  The couple lived in Grand Forks their entire lives where George owned and operated Hastings Heating and Sheet Metal & Hastings Fireplace Centers; which was started in 1945.  George worked on many properties during his working career, but the one job he was most proud of was covering the steeples of St. Mary's Catholic Church in 1956 with copper and installing stainless steel crosses.  In 2018, after working 72 years at Hastings Heating and Sheet Metal & Fireplace Centers, he retired at the age of 86 because of health issues.

George was a founding member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Forks where he attended 7:30am and 9:00am mass for 60 years with his family.  George looked forward to and enjoyed listening to his wife, Mary Joyce, cantor at the church.  Most recently he was welcomed into the parish community at St. Mary's Catholic Church where he attended 10:30am mass.

George helped start the South Forks Lions Club in 1964 and was an active member for 55 years.   He served as President from 1972-1973.  At the time of his passing, George was the only living charter member of the South Forks Lions Club.  George's enthusiasm for the Lion's club was evident in how he had his children become active fund raisers going door to door selling candy and light bulbs.  George was proud to be a LION.

George was an active member of the Disabled American Veterans, Andy Nomland Chapter 2 for the past 20 years. He served as the commander for two terms from 2005-2006. He held many other cabinet positions. George served on the Board of Directors and the Spaces for Living Board for Development Homes from 2006 to 2017.  George took his responsibilities as a member of organizations he served seriously.  He could always be found carrying tickets for sale for the current fundraiser in his left shirt pocket.  He never knew when the opportunity was going to arise where he could sell a ticket, and he was never going to miss that opportunity.

George was most proud and committed to his family; his wife, Mary Joyce, and his five children.  When it came to music, he was his wife's number one fan!  He loved to hear Mary Joyce sing.  He booked her as the opening act for Box Car Willie, The Bellamy Brothers, Tom T. Hall, and others while he ran the sound board.  He was a co-writer on some of the songs that Mary Joyce recorded.  He proudly sat in the audience on weekends and beamed from ear-to-ear while she sang and entertained the fans.

George's hobby was working.  When he was not at Hastings Heating and Sheet Metal, he was working on a remodeling project.  He was a carpenter, mason, electrician, plumber; a "jack of all trades".  He was always lending a hand to help someone else.  In his retirement he enjoyed putting together woodcrafts and spending time with his beloved dog and faithful "buddy" Mr. Jackson.

George was well-respected by all that met him.  He was referred to as a "kind-soul" and never had anything bad to say about a person.  He was known for his quick-witted sayings:  When asked, "How are you?" he would respond "I'm finer than frogs' hair" or "I'm on the right side of the grass." When asked, "When are we going to leave?" he would respond the 2 ^nd Tuesday of Septober or "The 10 ^th of Never."  He would tell his family: "I'm the best dad you ever had" or "I'm the Greatest Grandpa."

George is survived by his five children: Robert (Lori) Hastings, Milaca, MN; Deborah (Galen) Tronnes, Nashville, TN; Donald (Denise) Hastings, Fargo, ND; MaryAnn (Terry) Hayward, Grand Forks, ND; and Joan Karpenko, Grand Forks, ND; seven grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.  He is survived by his sister Petronella Shirk, Fargo, ND; Lillian Johnson, Downey, CA; Wilmath (Linda) Hastings, Grand Forks, sister-in-law Willene Hastings, Phoenix, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Joyce Hastings; his parents, Wilmath and Lillian Hastings; his sisters, Mary Lou Bruzzone and Mildred Hutton; and his brother, Thomas Paul Hastings.

He will be missed by all. We hope he is enjoying a dance with the love of his life, Mary Joyce.

Mass of Christian Burial: 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.
To view the live stream Funeral Mass, please visit: https://www.holyfamilygf.org/
Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, April 5, 2021 with a 7:00 p.m. vigil service in Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.  Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Tuesday.
Burial: Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at Calvary South Cemetery in Grand Forks, ND.
Military Honors: Accorded by members of the American Legion Post 157, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817, The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 2 and the North Dakota Army National Guard.