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William George Obituary
AGE: 29 • Rockaway
Reverend Father William Michael George, age 29, of Rockaway, New Jersey, Fell Asleep in the Lord on May 5, 2017. Father William was born in Denville, New Jersey, on February 26, 1988, and resided nearby for most of his life. He was the son of JoAnn George, nee King and Michael George.
Father William graduated from Morris Knolls High School as a member of the class of 2006. He attended County College of Morris, and he graduated from Montclair State University. He continued his education at Christ the Savior Seminary of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. After graduation, he married Amy Maria George, nee Harbilas, formerly of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, on June 9, 2013.
On March 23, 2014, he was ordained to the Holy Order of the Priesthood and assigned to his childhood parish, Saints Peter and Paul Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church in Rockaway Borough, to serve as their presbyter and shepherd, and he did so with kindness, selflessness, patience and love for Christ and his flock. Father William was also the Orthodox Christian Fellowship Chaplin at the County College of Morris chapter since its founding.
All who knew him can agree that Father William lived his life with his whole heart, purposefully and beautifully. His mission on earth is complete and his death—and even more so, his humble and loving ministry and life—is an example to all of us that our journey to salvation must continue.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Father William is survived by his siblings, Dr. Erin George of Philadelphia, PA, Joseph George of Rockaway, NJ and Annie George of Rockaway, NJ; his maternal grandparents Donald and Joan King, grandmother Anna Hollis; his mother- and father-in law, Kathryn and John Harbilas of Camp Hill, PA, a sister-in-law, Tina Mayoglou, nee Harbilas (Lazarus) and a brother-in-law, Peter Harbilas (Lauretta), two nieces and two nephews, Helen, Cosmas, Theo, and Georgia.
Funeral arrangements are as follows: Thursday, May 11, at 10 am, reception of the body into Saints Peter and Paul Church at 66 Beach Street, Rockaway. The church will remain open all day and there will be a Priest's Parastas service at 7 pm. Friday, May 12, at 10 am, a funeral Liturgy followed by internment at Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery on Quaker Ave. in Randolph.
In lieu of flowers, kindly support the Saints Peter and Paul Narthex Icon Project. Donations can be sent care of Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, 66 Beach Street, Rockaway, NJ 07866. May his Memory Be Eternal. Christ is Risen!
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William George
Sponsored by Bermingham Funeral Home, Inc. - Wharton.
Dec 2, 2016 making food
June 6, 2017
Justa Mir
May 25, 2017
Dear Jo Ann and family,
My sincere condolences , god give you the strength, my prayers are with you.
God bless William. Amen.
Justa
Robert Langford
May 23, 2017
It seems like an endless dream since we received that fateful phone call that changed our lives forever. Within one hour we were heading north on I75. In our car was the mother of this holy man, our cat Ozzy and myself. As we proceeded north to NJ we could not get a flight to Father Williams bedside. So we drove onward through the night guided by Fr. William's earthly light. With the assistance of FaceTime we were able to watch over him in his final hours. There is nothing like the haunting screams of a mother losing her son. I will always remember this moment of pain and anguish. One can only imagine the sorrow and emotion of that bond; mother and son. We traveled on through the night. I95 and North Carolina seemed surreal as my speed increased with urgency. Father William's physical presence on this earth unfolded before us. Unending sorrow was our compass which guided us on the rest of our journey. To no avail we could not touch him in his final hour.
My words can not express the love and joy that Father William brought to many. He was truly a man of the cloth. I personally would like to thank the entire King and George families who embraced me six years ago. Bill and I spoke of visiting the holy land someday. He got there way to soon. I will never forget the first time I met him cooking for all his schoolmates in the kitchen at Ford Road. He was that shining diamond of peace and giving. I was truly blessed by our meeting.
With my deepest respect and love.
Bobby
May 22, 2017
A tragic, tragic loss. So young and so bright, Fr William had so much to give - so much of what
this world truly needs.
With Love & Respect,
Mary & Barry Mushala
Denville, NJ
Zissis Chroneos
May 14, 2017
Dear Pani, We are very sorry for your loss. . . With our deepest condolences
Zissis and Zvjezda Chroneos
Trinity Jr. Ensemble Mrs. Kokos & Mrs. Kounas
May 14, 2017
On behalf of Trinity Jr. Ensemble past & present members, we extend our
heartfelt sympathies to dear Amy and her family in this hour of deepest
sorrow. May the memory of Fr. William George be eternal. With love, Mrs. Verna Kounas and Mrs. Connie Kokos.
Emily Wehbi (Hunter)
May 13, 2017
Dear Pani Amy,
My most sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and your family. My heart goes out to you. May Father's memory be eternal. I am thinking and praying for you always.
Christ is Risen!
Father Andrew and Presvytera Katherine Tsikitas
May 13, 2017
Dear Pani Amy and family. May his memory be eternal. Christ is Risen! We are so very sorry for your loss. You are always in our thoughts and prayers. May our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ be with all of you, always, and bring peace to your life through this very difficult time.
Father William and Pani Amy
Laura & Bill Cowan
May 11, 2017
Christmas Day, January 7, 2017
Father William and Pani Amy
Christmas Day 1-7-2017
Laura and Bill Cowan
May 11, 2017
We celebrated liturgy on Christmas Day with Father William. It was a wonderful, inspiring, and joyful service!
Memory Eternal! !
Laura & Bill Cowan
May 11, 2017
Dear Pani Amy and family,
Our deepest and heartfelt sympathy. May Father William's memory be eternal! !
May 11, 2017
Dear Mike,
Ralph and I so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We hope you find comfort in your memories. God bless you both.
Sincerely,
Ralph and Phyrne.
Valerie Bonak
May 11, 2017
Christos Voskrese! Christos Anesti! With kindest sympathy to Pani Amy, and the family and friends of Fr George. May his memory be eternal.
Mary Baranowski
May 11, 2017
Sincere thoughts and prayers go out to the George and Haribilas families. Fr. William is now resting with the Lord. Memory Eternal. Christ Is Risen Indeed He is Risen. Mary Ann Baranowski and family.
DEB HALE
May 11, 2017
R.I.P. REV.FR. WILLIAM GEORGE. YOU ARE WITH THE LORD NOW. MAYYOUREST IN PEACE IN HIS HOME.
Phyllis & Michael Antonicello
May 11, 2017
Our heartfelt condolences and prayers to Amy and Fr. William's family at this most difficult time.
Theanne Gagianas
May 11, 2017
Father will be missed by the countless people whose lives he touched in so little time here on earth. May Panayia wrap her arms around Pani Amy and all as we continue to work out our salvation here on earth. Thank you Fr Bill for your imprint on this earth.
Diana Peslis
May 11, 2017
My deepest sympathy. May his memory be eternal. My prayers for everyone
Kevin Cashen
May 10, 2017
I wish to send my prayers and condolences to all the family. May God comfort you through these difficult times. Christ Is Risen!
Fr.Deacon Joseph Licata
May 10, 2017
Grant Eternal Rest in Blessed Repose O Lord to Thy Priest William ...
May the angels lead you to Paradise...may the Martyrs receive you and take you to the Heavenly Kingdom!.
MEMORY ETERNAL
x w
May 10, 2017
Memory Eternal.
May 10, 2017
Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!
The Ladies Philoptochos of the St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Randolph, NJ, expresses its deepest sympathies at the passing of Father William. His kindness to our parish during last year's Pan Orthodox service will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace and may his memory be eternal.
Petra Knox
President
St. Andrew Philoptochos
The Rev. Susan Trigger
May 10, 2017
My deepest sympathy to the family, congregation and friends of Fr. William. We greatly appreciated his participation in Ecumenical and Interfaith activities in Rockaway. He was a source of creative energy, kindness, and compassion. His devotion to God shown from him. He will be greatly missed.
May 10, 2017
Christ is Risen! Amy, I am so sorry to hear this news. May Father's memory be eternal and God give you strength during this difficult time. May he rest in peace with the angels.
Mrs. Alexandra Gregory
Michael and Corey Gregory
Pittsburgh, PA
Michele George
May 10, 2017
God Bless you Bill. Was blessed that you were our son Michaels God Father. Mike and Michelle and family will never forget you. Rest in peace ❤
Matthew Higgins
May 10, 2017
We are so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. We both fondly remember him as a student.
May he rest in the arms of the Lord to whom he devoted his life and may his family know they are in our prayers.
~Matthew Higgins & Aaron Lipsen (Morris Knolls High School)
Mrs. Diane Grohowski
May 10, 2017
My Deepest Sympathy to the Family of Rev George. A Fine Young Man of God. I'm pleasured to have met such a respectable, loving man. God wanted him into his kingdom to early. RIP, Your job on earth spreading the word of God is done. You will be rewarded by The Lord.
Jolynn Ruggerio
May 10, 2017
Christ is Risen! May his Memory be Eternal! May His souls rest among the saints!
Linda Fehervari
May 10, 2017
I met Father George for the 1st time on May 1, 2017. Father George performed the services at my Mothers, (Irene Krouse) funeral at Smith, Taylor, Ruggiero Funeral Home. Myself and many members of my family never had such a connection with a Priest that we just met. He was the warmest, kindest person. We will never forget him. My sincere condolences to his family. May he rest in peace. Christ has Risen!
Linda Fehervari
Adrienne Harms
May 10, 2017
Eternal Memory
Father Panteleimon Bouzounis
May 10, 2017
May his memory be eternal amongst the Holy Saints in Heavens. My beloved brother in Christ you will always be remembered in our prayers
Reverend Father Panteleimon
Stacey Nackowiz
May 9, 2017
May his memory be eternal. My whole heart goes out to his family and loved ones.
Sarah Kunkle
May 9, 2017
Memory Eternal! Christ is Risen!
Christina Adzima
May 9, 2017
Eternal Memory! My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who knew Fr. William! #friendsforever
Father during liturgy
Ben Yima
May 9, 2017
Easter basket blessing 2017
Ben Yima
May 9, 2017
Ben Yima
May 9, 2017
now I can say Once I met an angel
May 9, 2017
Eternal Memory! Christ is Risen!
Eleni Demetri
May 9, 2017
Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and to those in the tombs bestowing life.
Fr. Anthony and I are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Fr. William. It was a privilege to know him and be at his and Amy's wedding. May God rest his soul and grant strength to his entire family. May his memory be eternal.
Lisa and Jon Olszowy
May 9, 2017
The tomb is empty, He is not there. Christ is Risen! And so is Fr.William.
Memory Eternal!
Nick Ressetar
May 9, 2017
May Father William's memory be ever eternal and may God console his Pani Amy and entire family. Christ is Risen! Christos Voskrese! Christos Anesti!
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