Top photo: Deacon George Chemaly. St. Mary, Mother of God Parish photo
Deacon George Chemaly, who served the faithful in St. Mary Parish, Middletown, died Sept. 21. He was 64.
Visitation will be held Sept. 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. in St. Mary, Mother of God Church, 19 Cherry Tree Farm Rd., Middletown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. in the church. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.
Deacon Chemaly was born in Beirut, Lebanon on March 24, 1962, and was raised during a time of political upheaval, receiving Catholic education and formation in his native country. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics from American University of Beirut in 1986. According to a public profile, he volunteered with the Lebanese Red Cross starting in 1982, during the time of the Lebanese civil war. In 2008, he immigrated with his wife and family to the United States, where he worked in the jewelry industry. He studied at Georgian Court University, Lakewood, as part of his preparation for the permanent diaconate.
On May 21, 2022, Deacon Chemaly was ordained by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. At the time of his ordination, he said he wished to “follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ as a servant,” “serve the people of God by bringing more souls to the Church,” and “participate in building the Catholic Church by proclaiming the Good News.”
An obituary posted to the John F. Pfleger Funeral Home website described Deacon Chemaly as “an inspiration to all,” gentle and generous in spirit, with “a special devotion to the saints.”
Deacon Chemaly is survived by his wife of 31 years, Julie, their son, Christy-John, and their daughter, Christelle.