Memory Eternal! + George T. Mahshie

Memory Eternal!

George T. Mahshie, 87 of Syracuse NY, passed away at home on May 5, 2014. Mr. Mahshie, a lifelong resident of Syracuse, was the son of Towfick Mahshie and Malakie (Atallah) Mahshie. Mr. Mahshie attended public and parochial schools in Syracuse, graduating from Eastwood High School in 1944. He served from 1944 to 1946 in the U.S. Navy. Upon his release Mr. Mahshie attended Syracuse University where he received his bachelor's degree in 1949. He engaged in various employments and received his law degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1955. George was an attorney and counselor at law practicing law in New York State Courts, Federal Courts, and United States Supreme Court, maintaining a general practice of law until October 1988. Mr. Mahshie was a member of the Onondaga County, New York and American Bar Associations.

After his law practice Mr. Mahshie maintained a real estate brokerage business during which time he was President of Mahshie Realty and then on a part time basis, until his death working with his wife, Laraine, in the brokerage firms of Mincom 5 Star Realty and eL-M Real Estate. Mr. Mahshie was a member of the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors, the New York State Association of Realtors as well as the National Association of Realtors.

George was a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Arab Americans, a former Vice President and member of the Board of Trustees of the United Holy Land Fund, a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, and past National President of SOYO during his long and active church career. Mr. Mahshie was an active member of St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church having also served as a member of the Parish Council for approximately 25 years. George was a Knight in the Order of St. Ignatius philanthropic arm of his church for many years and was also President of Serimerics. George was a recipient of the Antonian Silver Medal of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church in honor of the many years of exceptional service to his church. He was active in many philanthropic and social organizations such as the National Association of Arab Americans, Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee, American Arab Institute, and the Nazareth Hospital Project.

George was indoctrinated with the common sense values of justice, equality, and charity as the backbone to the dignity of the human being as well as to believe and live in the sight of a loving God. Having lost his father at the young age of 10, he always bore his great loss, trying to act or respond in truth, fairness, unselfishness, with compassion and respect toward his fellow human beings. His own happiness and success was not seeking for himself but in helping others. George spent his entire life helping others in any way possible and was always very generous in caring for many members of his family and friends. George always believed that the tragedies of this world do not reflect God's will but result from the relentless laws of nature and from misuse of our human freedom. God does not send the tragedy. He sends the strength and faith to cope with tragedy. He sends us friends to assure us that we do not grieve nor cry alone.

Mr. Mahshie is survived by the love of his life, Laraine E. Mahshie; his sister, Mrs. Julia Shaheen of Utica; and brother, Joseph Mahshie of Syracuse; as well as many nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins, many sisters and brothers-in-law and many, many friends.

Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at St. Elias Orthodox Church, 4988 Onondaga Road. Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. at St. Elias Church on Friday, May 9, 2014 with interment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Elias Orthodox Church Endowment Fund. Visit this Website to share condolences.