George Najem Obituary
PEABODY — George Najem, 83, of Peabody, died Friday, Feb. 12, 2010 at home, surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Najem was born in Lawrence to the late Joseph and Eva.Najem. He was educated in the Lawrence School system and at Lowell Technical School.
Mr. Najem was a World War II.veteran having served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Knight as a Torpedoman's Mate 1st Class. He was retired from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts DPW - State Highway Department.
Mr. Najem.attended St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church in Peabody and St. George Orthodox Church in Lawrence. In retirement he traveled throughout much of the United States with his wife of 31 years, Alice "Ellie" (Barakas) Najem. Together, they would tow a 32-foot Airsteam travel trailer and.visit Alaska many times along with many trips overseas. He enjoyed being a weekend mechanic and was very dedicated to.and loved his large family.
In addition to his wife, Ellie, he is survived by one son, David J. Najem of Middleton; daughters, Brenda J. wife of David M. Hyder of North Andover, Jeannie M. Williamson of Salem, Mass., Linda, wife of William Card of Rehoboth, and Donna M., wife of Paul A. Dewsnap of Peabody; grandchildren, Alicia M. Hyder of North Andover, Alexa Williamson of Salem, Jason Williamson of Raymond, Maine, Adam Williamson of Yardley, Pa., Jana Williamson of.Somerville, Taylor Blackler of Attleboro, Christian and Cameron Card of Rehoboth, Alexander, Andrew.and Alison Dewsnap of. Peabody; one great-grandson, Jacob Williamson; one brother, Arthur Najem of Atkinson, N.H.; and one sister, Irene Leiva of California. Amongst the many neices and nephews surviving Mr. Najem are Joan Grillo, Pauline Leone, Carol Nocera, Denise Moulton and Gary Belanger. Mr. Najem was predeceased by his first wife, Martha (Wourgiotis) Najem and sisters, Adele Belanger, Agnes Budenas and Florence Deady.
ARRANGEMENTS: A funeral service will be offered on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 at 10 a.m. at St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church,.5 Paleologos St., Peabody. Burial will be in United Lebanese Charitable Society Cemetery, Lawrence. Friends may call Monday 4 to 8 p.m. at Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. Local arrangements are with the assistance of Farrah Funeral Home, Lawrence. Memorial contributions in Mr. Najem's memory made be made to the American Cancer Society, 9 Riverside Road, Weston, MA 02493.
This obituary was originally published in the Eagle-Tribune.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Linda Card
February 25, 2010
Mom,
I know this is the most difficult time for you, but I also know that you are a strong lady and will perservere. You & George lived a full life and traveled the world together. What wonderful memories you have to share with all your grandchildren! You are a very lucky lady to have been loved by such a caring, selfless man that was always there for anyone and everyone that was in need of help. Mom, I want to thank you for bringing such a wonderful man into my life to help guide and mold me into the woman I am today. He had a very strong influence on me! We will all miss him dearly.
February 25, 2010
Dear David and Brenda,
I will miss Uncle George deeply, but there will always be a place for him in my heart. My sincere sympathy to you and your families. May God bless you all.
Donna and Ed Avakoff
Donna Avakoff
February 25, 2010
Dear David and Brenda,
I will miss Uncle George deeply, but there will always be a place for him in my heart. My sincere sympathy to you and your families. May God bless you all.
Donna and Ed Avakoff
George Najem 2004 Florida
David Najem
February 24, 2010
Regarding my father,
George Najem
1926 - 2010
I just wanted to let all of you who have commented here know that I have observed your messages. Thank you for your kind words about my father and for your expressions of sympathy.
The message by Shawna Copp (2/15/10) was particularly heartwarming because this was the kind of selfless behavior that was typical of my father. He was always eager to help people out of a jam, and he would drop everything without a second thought, as he did when he assisted her, a neophyte trailer owner. Along those lines, I thought I would share a few paragraphs that may amuse you and give you a clearer picture of this man, his machine, and his life.
My father was really in his element when he was traveling the highways and byways of America with his loving wife, Ellie, while towing his 32 foot Airstream trailer with his full size GMC Suburban. By the way, I think he would want you to know that this vehicle had “the big engine” – the 455cubic inch V8. That equals 7.5 liters for you younger guys. He did not go for those puny 350 engines. He had to have the big 455, which was mated to the heavy duty chassis, a truck-quality frame, brakes, etc. Everything had to be heavy duty!!
All together it was a really big rig for anyone to handle, but for him it was a breeze. He didn’t think it was pushing the limit; he never even considered downsizing. He was not afraid to drive that rig through the center of a major city during the middle of rush hour traffic if that’s where they happened to be. He had Ellie riding shotgun, maps in hand and eyes wide open, helping him navigate the way.
As recently as summer 2008, at the age of 82, they traveled out west again for several weeks. In winter 2009 they did their usual Florida gig, always with trailer in tow. He was blessed by God to have a long, healthy and active life, full of strength and vigor. He will be missed by all of us, and he will be very fondly remembered. His spirit will live on through eternity, as will our spirits also, because the body is merely a temporary dwelling place of the spirit, according to the words of the Bible.
David Najem
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Bob Kfoury
February 16, 2010
Dave and family,
My sympathies to you all. May your memories of your Dad always be fond ones and may his memory be eternal.
Denise (Levasseur) Casey
February 16, 2010
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
February 15, 2010
Dear Brenda and David,
I would like to extend our sincerest sympathy on behalf of my parents,Alice and Frank Levasseur, and also from myself, Diane(Levasseur)Leal and husband Helio.
peg najem-sinewitz
February 15, 2010
we will miss you uncle george. we will fondly remember camping with you, dad, and all us kids. the memories will be forever. you will be in our hearts always.
peg najem-sinewitz
February 15, 2010
we will miss you, uncle george. we will remember you always, you are in our hearts forever. camping with dad and you and all us kids are fond memories we will have forever.
Shawna Copp
February 15, 2010
My name is Shawna Copp (granddaughter of Jennie & Paul Costas) I live on the island of Kona, Hawaii & I want to extend my sympathy to you & your family regarding the death of your wonderful George.
I bought a huge travel-trailer in Florida and drove it to Peabody, MA. I needed to store it at my aunt Clara Geanoulis' house until I could sell it. Thanks to George teaching me how to winterize it, I sold it for a good price and was able to apply for a job in Hawaii. Since that time, I've become a scuba instructor, a captain of a boat and a stunt diver.
I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated the fact that he dropped everything and came over to help me.
I couldn't have gone on that interview in Hawaii and maybe wouldn't be living my dream life if it wasn't for the kindness of George. I will remember you and your family in my prayers.
Thankfully,
Shawna Alexis Copp
Barbara Copp
February 15, 2010
Dear Ellie,
We were sorry to hear about your beloved George. When my mom & dad (Paul & Jennie Costas) told me it brought back a wonderful memory that was so typical of him. When my daughter purchased a huge travel trailer, she had so many questions...George jumped in his car & drove over. He spent a lot of time explaining it to her & even assisted her in winterizing it! (Anyone else would have simply answered the question on the phone.)
My parents spoke so highly of him. Please let this little note from me remind you of all the little things he did to help people that weren't considered little to them. Without his help, we were stuck...to him, it was nothing!
Take care of yourself & God Bless you & your entire family.
Love, Barbara Copp & family
P.S. Thanks to you, my daughter sold her travel trailer & enjoys living in Hawaii!
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
82 Lynn Street, Peabody, MA 01960
Make a Donation
in George Najem's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
People and places connected with George
Recent Obituaries
How to support George's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor George Najem's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
Sponsored