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IN MEMORIAM |
Bashara and Reynolds: Longtime Leaders, Supporters and Trustees of the College
MSU-DCL recently lost two longtime leaders, supporters and trustees of the college. President Emeritus George N. Bashara, ’60, and Trustee Emeritus Ellsworth G. “Al” Reynolds, ’42, passed away within a month of each other—Bashara on April 8 and Reynolds on May 8.
Hon. George N. Bashara
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GEORGE N. BASHARA was born and raised in Detroit, and had a long and distinguished public service career in Wayne County and the state of Michigan. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan and, upon finishing law school, joined his father’s law firm as a partner. While still practicing with the firm, he was appointed to the Michigan Employment Security Appeal Board.
Bashara also was a member of the State Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Alcoholism, and a judge of the Wayne County Probate and Circuit courts as well as the Michigan Court of Appeals. At the time, the 38-year-old Bashara was the youngest state Appeals Court judge in Michigan history. In later years, he assumed legal positions at Dykema Gossett, Federal-Mogul and Clark Hill law firm.
Throughout his career, Judge Bashara was active in bar associations at the national, state and local levels and in the Arab American Bar Association. He served in dozens of community organizations, including Big Brothers, March of Dimes, Boys’ Clubs, and various hospital foundations, assumed leadership roles in the Episcopal Church as well as various ecumenical organizations in the Detroit area, and was a Mason.
Bashara is survived by his wife Suzanne as well as his two children, two stepchildren, five grandchildren and three sisters. The family has directed memorial contributions to MSU-DCL and to St. Michael Episcopal Church in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan.
Ellsworth G. Reynolds
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ELLSWORTH G. REYNOLDS was raised in Detroit and spent his career years in the area. Soon after graduating from law school, Reynolds went to work for Detroit Edison, later absorbed by MichCon, where he stayed until retirement. He rose through the ranks, becoming a senior executive with MichCon and its allied companies.
As a company lawyer, Reynolds dealt with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) on employee health coverage. His deep understanding of health care problems led to an offer of a position on the BCBSM board, of which he later became vice chairman. He also was chairman of the state Health Facilities Commission, vice chairman of the Health Committee of New Detroit and a board member of World Medical Relief.
After his first wife Lorraine died, Reynolds dedicated himself to his four young children, eventually uniting them with his second wife Becky. His family remained the focal point of his life, with his business accomplishments important “only in a small way,” according to son Michael.
Reynolds is survived by his wife, four children, 18 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a sister.
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