George P. Verghese

George P. Verghese ("Pappachen"), 83, peacefully and joyfully went home to be with his beloved Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at his home in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.  In going home to glory, he joins his wife Susan to whom he was married for 53 years, and who passed into glory 7 weeks prior to George.

Born January 20, in the beautiful beach town of Alleppey, Kerala, India, he was the son of the late Johannan (John) and Mariamma (Mary).  Surviving family members include his daughter, Meenu Hoffman (Edward), grandchildren, Maya and Eddie, and one sister, along with many adored nieces and nephews and their families all over the world.

George was the youngest in a family of six, with one brother and 4 sisters. His father passed away when George was a teenager and his mother became the center of the family.  She was a woman who loved the Lord and instilled a heart of compassion to her children.  This was clearly evidenced in her youngest child.  Even as a youngster, the plight of the poor compelled George to action.  This included frequently coming home from school with no shirt on as he had given it away to someone he saw who had no shirt.  George's faith was also heavily impacted when he attended a Billy Graham crusade in Kerala in 1956.

George was devoted to his family, especially his grandchildren, whom he helped to raise from birth.  His primary prayer over them was to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ.  He desire for them was to be sealed in Christ.  He was involved in every aspect of their lives, from reading the Bible to them, helping them with homework, and encouraging and supporting them in all their endeavors.  He especially loved attending all their school events from pre-school through high school. He was thankful for the privilege of seeing them grow into young adulthood.  He would regularly place his hands on their heads and pray over them in their comings and goings.  Like his wife, he held his son-in-law, Ed, in the highest esteem and had every confidence in him as a husband and father.

George graduated from the University of Kerala with a degree in economics, although he liked to joke that he also held the same masters degrees as his wife due to the amount of time he spent typing her papers and helping her study.  He also undertook studies in politics and history.

Like his wife, George spent some time working in the Middle East where he developed a love for the state of Israel.  He witnessed history being made as he watched the events of the Six Day War (aka the 1967 war) unfold.  It was something that he never forgot and would regularly comment on when speaking with his daughter.

His favorite activity was to read and study the Bible.  He was a very social person who had a big laugh, made a lot of jokes and who enjoyed engaging people in conversation.  He loved the beach, spicy food, and old hymns.  In fact, he took piano lessons at the age of 71 in order to play hymns at home.

While he has departed his earthly body, we are grateful to have the blessed hope that we will see him in eternity, all due to the saving work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We rest in the following truth:

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. – Psalm 23:6

Friends and family are invited to call at 10:30AM, Monday, December 20 ^th at Keystone Fellowship, 427 Stump Rd., North Wales, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM.  Interment to immediately follow service at Whitemarsh Memorial Park, Ambler, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in George's name to Mercy Ships: https://www.mercyships.org

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