Dr. George N Bistis

Dr. George N. Bistis, 88, of Berkeley Heights, NJ, entered eternal rest on Thursday, August 11, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. The funeral service will be held at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 250 Gallows Hill Road, Westfield, NJ on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 11am. The interment will follow at the Presbyterian Church at New Providence, 1307 Springfield Ave, New Providence, NJ 07974. The viewing will be held at the Rossi Funeral Home, 1937 Westfield Avenue, Scotch Plains, on Monday, August 15, 2016 from 6-9pm.

George was born and raised in Newark, NJ. He was the son of Nicholas and Margaret Bistis who emigrated from Greece. George graduated from Drew University in Madison, NJ and went on to earn his Masters' Degree and Ph.D in Microbiology at Columbia University in NYC. He did scientific research post doctorate at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. George began his teaching career at Fordham University and City College of New York. He eventually went back to his Alma Mater, Drew University, to teach microbiology and genetics where he was a professor and research scientist for many years before retiring. Throughout his career, George published several articles on his research and was invited as a frequent speaker at the International Genetics Conference. In 1970, he did a sabbatical at the Democrites Research Labs in Athens, Greece, and he and his family lived in Athens for one year. In 1980, he completed a second sabbatical at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. George's areas of expertise were mushrooms and fungi.

In addition to his work, George was an avid gardener and enjoyed many passions including music, culture, travel, food and, most of all, spending time at his 2 beloved farms; one in Hop Bottom, PA and the other on the birth island of his father- Andros, Greece. There, George did what he enjoyed most-working the land, gardening, riding his tractor and tilling the soil… and then taking a swim in his pond or the ocean.

George was a man dedicated to his wife and family. He and his devoted wife, Dorothea, enjoyed many decades of marriage in which they traveled and shared countless passions. He was a devoted father to his 3 children, Margo, Nicole, Jimmy, and provided them with memorable and exciting experiences. Later in life, he became a grandfather to Brittany and Alex and this was a role that brought him much joy and happiness. "Papou George" spent many hours playing made-up games and hiking in the woods with his grandchildren. He was also "Uncle George" to a large, extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom he shared many years of wonderful memories.

George is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Dorothea; his children, Margo(Norman), Nicole(Jim) and Jimmy(Jennifer); his grand-children Brittany and Alex; his brother, Matthew, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Contributions can be made to the Kindred at Home Hospice, 242 Old New Brunswick Rd., Suite 140, Piscataway, NJ 08854.