MARIETTA, Ga. – Fr. George Epaminondas Prassas, 86, formerly of Cranford, N.J., died May 19 in Marietta. Fr. George was born June 26, 1929, in Ayios Vasileios, Tripolis, Greece to Epaminondos and Joanna Prassas. During his childhood, Fr. George lived in New York City with his family: older brother James and younger twins Irene and Phillip. After his father’s death in 1944, his mother Joanna worked at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese under Archbishops Athenagoras, Michael, and Iakovos.

Fr. George attended the George Washington High School in New York and Holy Cross School of Theology, graduating in 1956. He met his wife, Katherine Maheras of Miami, and they married in October 1959. Ordained to the deaconate on Dec. 12, 1959 at St. Spyridon’s Church, Fr. George was ordained to the priesthood the following day at Holy Trinity Church in New Rochelle, N.Y.

Fr. George and Presbytera Katherine then moved to their first parish, Holy Trinity Church in Altoona, Pa., and started their family with the birth of their first two daughters, JoAnna and Despina. Next assigned to St. Demetrios in Jersey City, N.J., Fr. George and Presbytera Katherine further expanded their family with the birth of Anastasia, Georgia, and Christina. Fr. George earned his master’s degree in Education and worked at the Archdiocese as liaison between parochial schools and the New York City Board of Education.

During his career, Fr. George served the faithful at Holy Trinity in Ansonia, Conn., St. Paul in Hempstead, N.Y; Kimisis Tis Theotokou in Holmdel, N.J., where he was the founding priest at the new parish; and St. Catherine’s in Ithaca, N.Y. In 1983, he became the parish priest at Holy Trinity in Binghamton, N.Y., where he retired after 28 years of service.

Throughout his life, Fr. George was an engaged member of the Greek Orthodox clergy and frequently attended clergy conferences. He was active with the Orthodox Clergy Association and local civic leaders in Binghamton where he promoted the local Greek community. After serving as a priest for over 50 years, he retired and moved to Marietta, with his late wife, Presbytera Katherine.

Fr. George is survived by five daughters and their spouses, JoAnna and Bruce Turtletaub of Port Washington, N.Y.; Despina Prassas of Providence, R.I.; Anastasia Prassas of New York, Georgia and Michael O’Brien of Marietta, Ga., and Christina and Dean Serratelli of Westfield, N.J. He also leaves five grandchildren, Alexander, Nicholas, and Catherine Serratelli; and Thomas and Robert O’Brien. Fr. George was predeceased by his wife, Katherine, parents Joanna and Epaminondos, and siblings James, Irene and Philip. Also surviving him are his late wife’s siblings, James and Patricia Maheras of Rye, N.H., Fr. John Maheras of Scituate, Mass., and Sevasty and Richard Entwistle of Highland Lakes, N.J., and other relatives.

Funeral services and the Divine Liturgy were held on May 26 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield, N.J. Donations in Fr. Prassas’ memory may be made to Holy Cross School of Theology or the Greek Orthodox church of your choice.