George G. Zorn Jr., M.D.

George G. Zorn, Jr., M.D. November 26, 1922 - March 9, 2016 El Cajon George G. Zorn, Jr. was born to George G. Zorn, Sr. and Mary Ellen Kearns on November 26, 1922 in Springfield, Illinois. The family moved to Chicago where George, in fourth grade, lived next to and later married the love of his life, Rita Leahy. George attended Loyola University, Chicago then Loyola Stricht School of Medicine, finishing his medical training in the U.S. Navy. Dr. and Mrs. Zorn were first stationed in Long Beach, which included two tours of duty on the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge. Dr. Zorn served 11 years in the Navy, retiring with the rank of Commander. In 1956, Dr. Zorn was transferred back to Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. That same year he retired from the Navy and began a private surgical practice. He concentrated his practice at Mercy Hospital where he went on to serve as Chief of Surgery, Chief of Staff and President of the San Diego Surgical Society. Dr. Zorn was highly respected for his surgical skill and compassion for his patients. He retired from private practice in 1984. H.E. Sir George G. Zorn, KGCHS, as he was also known, was Lieutenant of the Western Lieutenancy for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a Catholic organization which supports The Holy Land. George Zorn was enormously dedicated to his family, particularly his wife, Rita, whom he cared for until her passing in 2012. He acted as the primary caregiver and loving husband for the woman that eventually would become his last patient. A man of precision, even in his hobbies, George Zorn was a skilled golfer, a meticulous gardener, and a talented painter. His portrait of Sister Mary Alexine still hangs in the boardroom at Mercy Hospital today, as well as a portrait of Msgr. Thomas Maloney in the Maloney Center at Our Lady of Grace Parish, where Dr. and Mrs, Zorn were founding members. Dr. Zorn was preceded in death by his wife, Rita and son Paul. He is survived by his children, Dr. George (Rebecca) Zorn III, David (Rosalinda) Zorn, Dan Zorn, Mary (Timothy) Meissner, as well as six grandchildren, Dr. Jeff (Anna) Zorn, Bryan (Kari) Meissner, Kevin (Siobhan) Meissner, Patrick Meissner, Michael Meissner, Marie Zorn, and six great-grandchildren, Tyler, Alison, Isabella, Finnegan, Grady and Cormac.Services for Dr. Zorn will be held April 5, 2016, 10:30 am at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Scripps Ranch.In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Nazareth House or Mercy Hospital.