George Verghese

February 22, 1922 - July 17, 2009

George Verghese Obituary (Known as "Ochen" to his wife and siblings, "Daddy" to his children and "Appachan" to his grandchildren) was born into a farming family of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Christians in the town of Pallom, Kottayam District, Kerala State, India on February 22, 1922 to Mani and Chachi Verghese of Kalapurackal House. He has lived in the United States since 1983. He entered into eternal rest on July 17, 2009 and leaves behind his wife, Mary George of Spokane, Washington, whom he married on August 27, 1956 in Chennai (then Madras, India); his son Ajit George ofVancouver, Washington; his daughters Gita Hatcher and Kavita Terrells both of Spokane, Washington; his grandchildren Sulochana Abeid (Spokane, Washington), Rajiv Hatcher (Portland, Oregon) and Pradeep Hatcher (Seattle, Washington), Sharath Verghese and Tarik Chakko of Vancouver, Washington, Amirah, Maia and Jahan Terrells of Spokane; his children-in-law Fr. Michael Hatcher, Shyama George and James Terrells, and grandchildren-in-law Mellad Abeid and Emily Crawford, and great-grandchildren Simon Abeid and Elishuba Hatcher. George was born into a 2000 year old tradition of Syrian Orthodox Christianity in India and was instrumental in establishing the first Malankara Orthodox Syrian Churches in Delhi, Mumbai and Spokane, Washington. He graduated from St Xavier's College in Mumbai after serving as Instructor in the British Navy in India during World War II. He served as a pilot first for Deccan Airways, then as Radio Officer for Tata Airlines (now Air India), then as Airport Manager in Jabalpur, India andsuccessively as Radio Officer, Flight Instructor and Senior Flight Operations Officer for Indian Airlines, Chennai. After retiring from his first love of flying, he served in the merchant marines, then retired and came to theUnited States. George flew on the first international flight operated out of India, as well as on the first night air mail in India and was the officer on duty who reported the World War II air raid on the Indian port of Vishakapatnam. Prayer Vigil to be held at St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, 2309 N. Lincoln, Spokane, WA. 99205 on Tuesday, July 21 from 7-8 p.m. and funeral service to be held at Heritage Funeral Home, 508 N. Government Way, Spokane, WA. 99224 on Wednesday, July 22 at 10:00 a.m. Flowers may be sent to either St. Gregorios Orthodox Church or Heritage Funeral Home. Memorials may be sent to St. Gregorios Orthodox Church. The family thanks all our friends and relatives for their prayers and continued support during George's long illness.