George N. Kowkabany

KOWKABANY DR. George N. Kowkabany-On July 2, 2014 we lost George Kowkabany, a quiet humble man, a brilliant academician and devout follower of Christ. George was born in 1923 at St. Vincent s Hospital, which was located in Springfield. George graduated from Andrew Jackson High School and was the first member of his family to go to college. He attended the University of Florida, where he was elected to Florida Blue Key and into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and graduated with very high honors. He received his master s and doctor s degrees at Yale University. After working briefly with the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, he began his teaching career at Catholic University in Washington, D. C., where he taught organic chemistry for 33 years. He was awarded the Papal Medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice , or Cross of Honor , and was elected by the student body as Professor of the Year , a memory that always brought him a smile. Upon retirement he returned to his beloved Jacksonville to be close to his brothers and their families. He served the next 20 years as a volunteer lector at Immaculate Conception Church and as a member of the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, where he worked in the Emergency Room, a task he relished. George never married but dearly loved all his family-brothers, nephews, numerous cousins and in-laws. He enjoyed taking pictures at all family gatherings and those photos are now an integral part of the family history. Until last year George attended daily mass, enjoyed a full social life, and went to the gym three days a week. At that time he moved into assisted living. In recent months his health began to sharply decline and he gently slipped into the waiting arms of the Creator God he so dearly loved and served. George was predeceased by his parents Norman and Mary Kowkabany, and his brothers Edward and Jack. He is survived by his brothers Fred (Jeannette) and Mitchell (Rosemarie), seven nephews and numerous cousins and friends. A vigil service will be held at Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home, 940 Cesery Blvd. on Sunday evening at 7:00 pm. The family will receive visitors 6:00-8:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9800 Baymeadows Rd. on Monday morning, July 7, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Tim Cusick the Celebrant. Pallbearers will be his nephews. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 121 East Duval Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com