Friday, Oct. 27, at noon, the Bristow City Council held a dedication ceremony at Lake Messina. The ceremony was dedicated to the late George Horany, of Bristow.
Horany was born in Shawnee, on Oct. 27, 1910. He was one of 11 children born to Oscar and Helen Horany. The Horany family eventually settled in Bristow. Oscar Horany had such a great love for the lake, that when he passed, his hearse made one final drive around the lake before his burial. George following in his father's footsteps, had the same passion for the lake. Horany served as the Bristow Park Commissioner for many years. He could often be seen fishing at the lake or feeding the ducks.
Horany attended Oklahoma Military School and Oklahoma State University, serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He loved amatuer boxing and participated in the sport as much as he could.
Horany and his wife, Fern, shared two children, one daughter, Gail and one son, Kent.
On Dec. 15, 1986, the Bristow City Council voted to change the name of Lake Messina to the George Horany Lake. This year marked the 113th birthday of Horany, therefore the city council voted to hold a dedication in his honor. A monument was laid on the area of the lake where the old boathouse used to sit, in honor of Horany.