Dr George Joseph passed away peacefully in his home on December 4, 2022 at the age of 93. His last days were spent visiting with friends, loved ones and watching his beloved game of soccer in the matches of the World Cup.
Born December 25, 1928 in Brashov, Romania, Gyuri, as he was called by everyone who knew him, was a holocaust survivor, clinical associate professor in psychiatry at George Washington University, and part of the staff of Walter Reed Army Medical Center until his retirement at the age of 81. He practiced in Romania, Israel and South Africa before coming to the US in 1963 to build a life in the greater Washington DC area.
Gyuri was an avid reader and understood history as well as most scholars. His incredible warmth and love permeated his interactions with friends and family, infused with clarity and depth through his final days. He loved playing bridge, listening to classical music, attending the opera and delighting in any all things related to his family.
As a young man, he was a talented swimmer and skier, loved riding his bike, and walking in nature. He was an enthusiastic cook and host, tour guide of his adopted hometown of DC and world-wide traveler. Never losing his intense curiosity, he even took a driving tour through Europe with his wife at the age of 89. He also self-published three books in his 80’s which were loosely based on his early life experiences.
He would define his life in a word: courage. He did not let fear stop him – from moving forward, taking chances, and reaping the rewards of a life lived in the constant pursuit of knowledge and authentic personal relationships. He was uniquely proud of his courage in opening his private practice in Washington DC as a then recent immigrant in 1968. After living through WW2 in Romania as a young Jewish boy, becoming a doctor and eventually leaving and finding his way to Israel where he would meet his wife Miriam (who he decided he would marry after knowing her for just 2 and ½ hours), he did not let fear hold him back and instead chose to come to the US to build a life. And through all he saw and experienced, he never lost his faith in himself and his belief in hope.
He is survived by his wife, Miriam, of 61 years, his three children Mark, Michelle and Susan and their spouses Keisha, Eric and Marc. In addition, his sister Flora, nieces Limor and Yael Joseph and nephew Yann Balu. In addition, he leaves six grandchildren – Rachel, Ben, Dylan, Mikayla, Devin and Miles.
