TSIHLIAS o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-04-19 published
BABITS,
George
Joseph B.A.Sc., C.A.
It is with profound sadness that the family announces the passing
of a beloved husband, father and grandfather. In his 68th year,
George died peacefully on April 15, 2003, surrounded by his loving
family, following a courageous and inspiring 3-year battle with
kidney cancer. Having overcome an initial 4-month prognosis,
he never gave up the fight.
George will live forever in the hearts of his beloved wife and
soul mate of 42 years, Katherine, his devoted sons George (Wendy),
Thomas (Trisha) and Christopher (Jennifer). His grandchildren
Monica, George Matthew, Paul and John will all miss their dear
''Papa.'' The family regrets that he will miss the births of
his twin grandchildren due in less than two weeks. Also mourned
by his brother Pal, sister Anna and many nephews and nieces in
Hungary, as well as his many Friends in Canada and around the
world. George was predeceased by his parents and his brother
Laszlo.
Born in Debrecen, Hungary, George was a champion weightlifter
in his youth, winning numerous regional and national titles.
While attending the University of Sopron, he left for Canada
as a refugee during the 1956 Revolution. He completed his degree
in geological engineering at the University of Toronto, and went
on to become a Chartered Accountant. George began his career
at the accounting firm Ernst and Ernst, followed by more than 27
years at Imperial Oil Ltd., where he had the opportunity to combine
his scientific knowledge with his financial acumen. After retiring
from Imperial in 1991, he continued to work in his own accounting
practice until his death. Throughout his life, he generously
volunteered for numerous organizations, including many in the
Canadian-Hungarian community. His sense of charity seemed to
know no bounds. He always gave of his time, energy, knowledge
and expertise, freely to those in need.
George's greatest passion was his family and his legacy will
live on, because it was as a husband and father that he had his
greatest success. His love and devotion to his family was boundless,
and he has left his children with a great appreciation for the
importance of family, education and respect for others. He was
the greatest role model that his sons could have possibly asked
for, and he will forever be in their hearts. Father we love you.
Many thanks to the fine medical professionals who helped George
in his battle and treated him with exceptional care and respect:
Doctors BUKOWSKI and
COHEN of the Cleveland Clinic, Doctors
TSIHLIAS
and Waddel of the University Health Network, Doctors
KUGLER and
STRAUSS of Gottingen, Germany and their pioneering vaccine therapy
program, and Doctors
BJARNASON and
SMITH and the team at the Toronto
Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre.
The family will receive Friends at the R.S. Kane Funeral Home
(6150 Yonge Street, at Goulding, south of Steeles), on Tuesday,
April 22, 2003 from 7: 30-9:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be held
on Wednesday, April 23, 2003, at 11: 00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth
of Hungary Roman Catholic Church (432 Sheppard Ave. E.). Donations
to the Sunnybrook Foundation Fund #9182 To Support Kidney Cancer
Research (In Memory of George J. Babits) c/o Dr. Georg Bjarnason,
2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, would be appreciated.
Messages of Condolence may be placed at www.rskane.ca.
''Szivunkben Orokke elni fogsz!''
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