Dr. George F. Mesleh
Dr. George F. Mesleh, Former Chief of Surgery at Advocate Christ Medical Center.
Beloved husband of Marlene nee Kattan.
Loving father of Dr. Michael (Stacia) Mesleh, Susan Mesleh, & Dr. Marc (Joanne) Mesleh.
Cherished grandfather of Amalia, Laith, Emilio, Tala, Yasmeen, Jude & George.
Devoted son of the late Farah & Helen Mesleh.
Dear brother of Mary (the late Johnny) Abedrabbo, Jadallah (Ioanna) Mesleh, & the late Yasmeen Mesleh, & the late Nabil Mesleh.
Fond brother in law of Johnny Kattan.
Proud uncle of Firas Abedrabbo, Tina (Raed) Musharbash, & Fadi (Deema) Abedrabbo.
Funeral Saturday June 1st, 8:30 am from Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home, 5570 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1220 S. 60th Ct. in Cicero, IL for Services at 10:00 am.
Entombment Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
Visitation Friday May 31st from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a Prayer Service at 6:00 pm.
This week we said goodbye to a central figure in our lives and the patriarch of our family, Dr. George Farah Mesleh. While incredibly difficult, it is therapeutic to look back and appreciate the person we had. He was a genuine man and we were among the luckiest people on earth to have him. He lived a great life that was full of joy, both for himself and for those around him.
His heritage.
Proud of his Palestinian homeland he often recounted its history with fondness, the customs and richness of our culture that make it great. The people, the customs, the land, the food, and the music. He faced adversity through war and occupation, having to leave as a teenager in pursuit of education and opportunity, first in Egypt then in America. He had the perspective gained by extensive travel, often visiting relatives in the Middle East, Greece, South America, and Canada. Later he traveled across Europe, Alaska, Africa, and China.
His work.
He saved or improved the quality of countless lives and described the practice of medicine as his calling. Dedicating 50 years to his work at Christ Hospital, by all accounts he was a great surgeon and colleague. His enduring legacy is the hundreds of surgeons he has mentored and trained. He was a practical person, hard working, and proud. He commanded great respect and was a shining example of how to be revered and still beloved -he was kind to everyone.
His friends.
He kept close relationships with his friends, themselves impressive people, spending quality time with them, sharing meals and visiting whenever possible. Over the last few weeks the outpouring of support and grief has been heart-warming and beautiful. His friends meant a tremendous amount to him, and he did to them. His sense of humor and wit were special; he had the unique ability to diffuse even the most tense situation with an off-handed quip.
His family.
As a son he showed reverence and caring for his parents, who were themselves impressive people. As a brother he cherished his closest relationships; he lost a younger sister, a younger brother, and his brother-in- law too early in life. As a husband he modeled partnership and how two people can be different and complement one another. As a father he could be firm, yet he was always warm. As a grandfather he joyfully doted over his grandchildren.
He loved us and we loved him and that will never change. The few difficult final days and the tears that accompanied them will never replace more than 28,000 great ones. He leaves a legacy of a life well-lived and he will be missed dearly. RIP
If you want to hear George tell his story in his own voice, please click the link: https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/chi001943/
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Advocate Christ Medical Center to support The George Mesleh Endowment for Surgical Nursing.
Please send memorial gifts to Advocate Charitable Foundation:
2025 Windsor Dr Oak Brook, IL 60523, or give online at aah.org/foundations.
Select "Other" and Type in "George Mesleh Fund" or
Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church