Msgr. Alexander Nicholas George, 75, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, October 23, 2012, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2012, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, by Archpriest Boris Zabrodsky, Archpriest Constantine (Kurt) Spengler, and Reverend William B. Harnish. Visitation: 3-8 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Entombment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Survivors include his beloved daughters, Jennifer (Shawn) Geyer of Berne, Indiana, Alexandra George of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Constance Haake of Charlotte, North Carolina; their mother, Carmella Cook of Cedar Rapids; and two grandsons, Zach and Colby. Father George was born February 18, 1937, the son of Hans Wilhelm and Rose Julianna (Szibilla) Juerges, in Berlin, Germany, and received his early education in Austria and Hungary. In 1953, he came with his parents from Hungary to the United States, where he attended high school in New Jersey and college in Los Angeles. On December 25, 1959, after seminary studies at Orthodox Trinity College in Jordanville, New York, he was ordained at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York. Following his ordination, Father George served parishes in New York and California, before going to South America for two years as a missionary. In February of 1964, he was called to serve St. John's Eastern Orthodox Church in Cedar Rapids. In 1967, he was elevated to the position of Archpriest (Monsignor). He served the parish for over 25 years. Father George married Carmella Cook on July 10, 1973, in Palm Springs, California. Together they were blessed with three daughters whom he cherished deeply. He was an integral part of their lives and upbringing and they were honored to stand by his side to his very last day. A list of Father George's personal and professional accomplishments would fail to fully encompass his vast knowledge of worldly affairs and the impact of his work furthering the understanding of religion and the Eastern Orthodox Church. His tireless ecumenical work in Eastern Iowa and around the world touched many lives and developed stronger ties amongst many religions and denominations. He was often called on by elected officials to offer invocations for government meetings and also helped draft resolutions recognizing Eastern Orthodoxy as a major religion in the United States. As a man born in Berlin at the height of Nazi power and raised in communist Hungary after World War II, he once remarked that, 'only in America could an immigrant stand in the halls of government to lead the nation's lawmakers in prayer.' Father George was well-known in the area of addictions, especially alcoholism. He was instrumental in developing programs and securing funding for those in alcohol recovery. He considered everyone a friend and would go out of his way to help those in need. He enjoyed coin and stamp collecting, making and sharing religious icons, and as he knew at least eight languages, he loved to travel and meet new people from around the world. Father George was a true community pastor, the 'people's priest.' His larger-than-life personality will be greatly missed and the world is, without doubt, a better place because of him. Father George was preceded in death by his parents; infant twin brothers, Peter and Paul; and his son-in-law, Andrew Haake. Memorials are suggested to his favorite charities, Orthodox Christian Mission Center, 220 Mason Manatee Way, St. Augustine, Florida 32086, or the Orthodox Monastery of Transfiguration, 321 Monastery Lane, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania 16117.
So Sorry to hear of Fathers passing. He always held a special place in my heart and I will always remember him. Wish I would have gotten back to CR to see him and introduce him to my little one. Praying for him and the family. You all hold a special place in my heart. God Bless you all, will be seeing you Fr. George. Love you all!
Our hearts and prayers go to Father George’s family and friends. Father George was like a member of our family when we were growing up and when we saw him recently, we traded stories of the German Game and other good times. He was a brilliant man and May he rest in peace.
Philip, Pam, Sue Dave Rob Homsey and Janet Freel and their families.
Our sincere condolences to Father George’s family. Father George was a member of our family as we grew up. Many fond memories of him. He was a brilliant man and what a wonderful laugh. May he rest in peace and God Bless.
Phil, Jan Freel, Pam, Sue, Dave and Rob Homsey and their families
My sympathy to all you girls, I remember a couple for sure when you went to All Saints School.
Your mom has my sympathy also because I know she was a big part of his life when they were together. God Bless All of you and your families.
Father George you will be missed. Please continue to watch over everyone and thank you for all you’ve done. My heart and prayers go to your family <3
Some time in the late ’60’s or early ’70’s, my father met Msgr. George. He invited our family to the Christmas Eve service at his church. It was such a moving experience for all of us in our family. He made us feel welcome and I know my life was a little bit richer because of that experience. He was a kind and friendly man!
On behalf of the George & Midge Saba family, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to the George family. Father George was and still is a big part of our Orthodox faith. He was one that truly loved Christ and His Church. We will miss the man with “that voice” with the “You know…” and the “Let me tell ya…” His voice will echo through out the rest of our lives. We were blessed to have this man in our lives. May his memory be eternal. God bless you Father George and may God bless us all!!
Father George was an amazing person I was privallged to be baptized by him he wil be greatly missed forever and always in my heart
Although I did not know Father George personally, I have the pleasure of being a close friend to his daughter Connie. I have heard many wonderful stories about him and my most sincere thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Father George was special to me and my family. He baptized myself and my siblings. He was our neighbor as well. My condolences go to his family in their time of grief. I know he is with his eternal father. May God bless Father George and his family. It was honor to have known him.
Jenny and family..So sorry for your loss.Your dad was a special person and he will be watching from above.wish I could be there for you.
So Sorry to hear of Fathers passing. He always held a special place in my heart and I will always remember him. Praying for him and the family. You all hold a special place in my heart. God Bless you Father George you will be missed.
Tommy & Cheryl and family
So Sorry to hear of Fathers passing. I will always remember father. Wish I would have gotten back to CR to see father . Praying for him and the family. God Bless
George
Lexi, Connie & family. I am so sorry for your loss & my deepest sympathy, heart & prayers are with you all at this time of sorrow. Father George will always be a huge memory of my MANY years @ Manor Care. We had our ups & downs but he was an amazing man & the love & bond you kids had with him was visible daily. Know that he is with you all in spirit & will continue to guide you.
We wish to send our sympathy to Jenny and her family. We had the honor of meeting father George at Jenny’s home in Berne. He was the most interesting person that I have ever spoke with. He has been and seen so many things. I could have listened to his stories all evening if Jenny would have let us. He will be greatly missed.
I knew Father George via 1st Trust & Savings Bank and St. John’s Church. He was a wealth of knowledge and always fun to talk with, and we had many talks. Last time I saw him, he gave me a quick lesson in how to pronounce Russian words. He always had a smile and was a real joy to be with.
Our sincere condolences to Father George’s family. Father George was a big part of our family as we grew up. He baptized us, blessed us, and married us. We have many fond memories of him. May he rest in peace and God Bless. The Farah and Cookman family.
May Christ our True God, who hath dominion over the living and the dead: establish the soul of his servant Alexander., departed this life, in His holy mansion and number Alexander among the Just!
May his Memory be Eternal!
Friend
I considered Msgr. George a friend. I met him 8 yrs ago at Manor Care during a regular visit to draw his blood. Over the last 8 years we have shared our love for Jesus, personal triumph and deep loss. I always saved a little time at the end of my work route to visit him. We would always share a little story. One year, I asked him what he wanted for his birthday. He requested a Whitmans 4pc sampler box of chocolates. He was so grateful when I brought that to him. I recently introduced him to my son Aaron. When I told him about Msgr. Georges death, Aaron waited a few minutes, then came to me and said ” Father George is not sick anymore. He can walk and talk to Jesus….and that is good.” God bless you during this time of loss.