George (Gheorghe) Georgescu

GEORGESCU, George (Gheorghe)

Journalist and Writer

With great sadness, we announce the passing of George (Gheorghe) Georgescu, on July 23, 2019, age 92. He was a loving husband, for 65 years of Georgeta, father of Denisa Georgescu (Scott Meis), and grandfather of Ruxandra and Yvonne Popovici (Robert Persson).

Born in Bucharest, Romania, he became a political activist, poet, painter and artisan.  In 1993, he moved to Ottawa, Canada to join his daughter, Denisa and her two daughters, followed by his wife Georgeta in 1996. 

In a gentle way, George Georgescu taught his family the importance of the love of God, and national and universal human values. He transmitted through his actions and beliefs his love for the Romanian language, culture and traditions, and the importance of a spiritual life. He was a passionate fighter for freedom and truth in his native and adoptive countries.

For over twenty years in Canada, he continued and expanded his literary activities in journalism, writing at several newspapers in Canada and the United States.

Supporter of the Romanian Diaspora in Canada, he presented periodically at Romanian conferences, such as Campul Romanesc held annually in Hamilton, Ontario. He was a regular contributor of political essays to Ro-Magazin, at the University of Ottawa, the only Romanian radio station at the time in Canada.

An active commentator on Romanian politics, he also served as an observer of Romanian elections at the Romanian embassy in Ottawa.

George was a member of the Canadian Association of Romanian Writers, and in 2002 he published a volume of short stories and political essays (Ultima Intalnire – Last Encounter) and a volume of poetry (Chemarea Stelelor – Call of the Stars). 

The family wishes to thank the Ottawa Heart Institute, the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Center, and the Ottawa General Hospital for their professionalism and loving care -- particularly from the care team on the Fifth Floor North East Wing of the Ottawa General Hospital in his final days.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 24^th between 6:00 and 8:00 pm at Beechwood Cemetery Funeral Services, 280 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa.  A traditional Romanian Orthodox funeral ceremony and burial will be held at Beechwood Cemetery on Thursday, July 25^th, at 11:00 am, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George’s name to the Canadian Heart Institute, the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Center, or the Ottawa General Hospital.