GEORGE LAZARUS

LAZARUS--Dr. George M. Dr. George M. Lazarus passed away on January 20, 2025 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He was 78 years old. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He dedicated his career to caring for children as a pediatrician and to teaching and mentoring the next generation of doctors. Born in Brooklyn on September 14, 1946, he was raised in Whitestone, Queens by his mother Bernice, a Kindergarten teacher, and his father Eli, who served as a Deputy Chief Inspector in the New York Police Department and later a judge of the New York City Criminal Court. He graduated from Bronx High School of Science, Yale College, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and from Columbia University College of Physicians of Surgeons, where he was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha. He completed his residency in pediatrics and was Chief Resident at Babies Hospital at Columbia Presbyterian. He spent two years as a Major in the United States Air Force, stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, and dedicated more than 20 years of service to the NYPD as an Honorary Police Surgeon. George spent over 40 years treating patients in private practice and as an attending physician at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He dedicated much of his career to teaching medical students and continued his service to the medical school past his retirement. He served on the admissions committee until the end of his life and hosted annual parties for every student he admitted, plus others he met along the way. The nurseries at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital were named in his honor for his lifetime of work with patients, doctors, nurses, and staff. He served on the boards of the New York Stem Cell Foundation, Sanctuary for Families, and Jacob's Pillow. He also served as President of the Alumni of Presbyterian Hospital and as President of the Alumni of Babies Hospital. The most important thing to George was his nearly 55- year marriage to his wife, Shelly, and their children and grandchildren. He was a regular attendee at plays, dance recitals, and baseball games. The happiest times of his life were on the annual trips he would take with his family. He loved to ski, read on the beach, and enjoy nightly cocktails with his grandchildren on various decks. He is survived by Shelly, his brother Robert, his children Ted (Lara), Samantha (Duncan), Ben (Jessie), and his grandchildren May, Isabelle, Harper, Phineas, George, Hank, and Walter. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sanctuary for Families or New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.