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Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Thursday, December 3, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, December 4, 2015 at 9:00 AM from the funeral home, then to Annunciation of the Virgin Mary R.C. Church, 45 Urban Club Road, Wayne, where at 10:00 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Interment will follow at Christ the Cemetery in Franklin Lakes.
George H. Barboza “Georgie”, age 42 of Wayne, passed peacefully into God’s precious care on Tuesday, December 1, 2015.
Georgie’s health took an unexpected turn for the worse on November 17 and his incredibly loving family stayed right by his side for twenty-four hours a day right up until the time he passed.
From the day Georgie was born, he faced physical, mental and emotional challenges the average person could never imagine. Georgie underwent his first tracheostomy on the second day of his life and spent the next 11 months of his life in the ICU at Martland Hospital in Newark. On June 26th, 1974 he came home for the first time ever, and shortly thereafter he was turned over to the hands of NYU medical center where over the course of the next 21 years he underwent many surgeries to save his life and to better himself. Despite the challenges he was presented, anyone who knew this loving, courageous man would tell you what a blessing he was. Earth’s loss is truly heaven’s gain!
Georgie was born in Passaic and lived there during his early childhood. In 1986 he moved with his parents, two sisters and grandparents to Wayne where he resided to this day. Georgie was a gifted pianist who started playing when he was just six years old. His maternal grandmother Candelaria Rojas was his first piano teacher. Georgie had such an innate sense of musicianship, he would wedge a maraca in his shoe and keep the beat of the music by shaking his foot while playing the piano and, when it came to the piano, he could play almost any piece of music you put in front of him! He especially enjoyed playing jazz and classical music, Broadway music and songs by Billy Joel.
Georgie took great pleasure working as a pianist for various local nursing facilities such as Llanfair Nursing Home, Wayne View in Wayne, Oakland Care Center and Hamilton Plaza in Clifton. Georgie was such a loving, caring person and it honestly gave him the greatest pleasure to see the residents dance and the smiles that came on their faces when he played something from their younger days like a classic polka or a song by Frank Sinatra.
Georgie's greatest pleasures in his life were clear, Family, his faith in God, Music & Cooking. Georgie not only loved listening to music for himself but he loved sharing it with others. During any family gatherings, especially at every NYE Celebration at his parents’ house, Georgie was known as "DJ Georgie" He also enjoyed just playing music any day of the week, inviting his family to dance in the kitchen.
Georgie was a man of Colombian descent, in fact his own parents and grandparents hailed from Colombia. Since Georgie was such a lover of family he loved to visit his extended family in Colombia a lot. He spent many summers in Colombia but his favorite time was going there in February for the traditional "Carnavales de Baranquilla" where he danced for days to his favorite music. He loved living and sharing with family, enjoying great music and delicious foods of his homeland. Spanish was always his preferred language whether home or abroad.
As well as teaching him to play the piano, his grandmother also inspired Georgie's love for cooking, especially foods typical of his family's Colombian culture such as Arroz con pollo, (chicken and rice), Camarones al ajillo (Garlic Shrimp), Carne puyada, (traditional pot roast) & Pappas chorreadas (red potatoes covered with a delicious sauce made with scallions, tomatoes, cream and cheese).
Famed 19th century American author Washington Irving once said, "There is an endearing tenderness in the love of a mother to a son that transcends all other affections of the heart". Well, if you didn’t know any better, you would have to think that Washington Irving was thinking about Georgie’s mother Annie when he was inspired to say that. Georgie and his mom had the most special bond a mom and son could ever imagine having. From the moment Georgie was born with all of his seemingly insurmountable challenges, Annie was right there, fighting for his life. As Georgie grew and as life went on, it’s almost as if their minds and hearts meshed into one cohesive being. They went everywhere and did everything together. They were each other's life.
He had a very special relationship with his nephews and niece from the time they were little babies. His nephew Nicholas had colic as an infant so to make Nicholas feel better, Georgie would dance with him, whenever Joey would sleep over at Abuelita's house, right next to Georgie in his bed was where he wanted to be. Sydney was Georgie's little princess and he loved to play with her and draw together.
When his nephew Troy was sick in the NICU at St. Barnabas Hospital for 51 days, Georgie and his mom were faithfully by his side every one of those fifty-one days and praying for Troy in the hospitals chapel. Georgie had a special connection with Troy as he is also challenged with mental and physical disabilities. He saw himself in him.
In good times his niece and nephews would come over Georgie’s house for sleepovers and Georgie would drive to Stop & Shop for their favorite foods like waffles, sausages and Mallomars. In the mornings, he was the first one up to make them breakfast. He’d play with them, play the piano, dance, watch you tube videos and just do whatever they wanted to do.
Georgie gave them so much love and taught them so much. They never looked at Uncle Georgie as being different although he had obvious facial defects; he taught them there was nothing wrong being different in any way, to be accepting and show respect and love to all. They loved & admired Uncle Georgie.
Family or friend, Georgie just simply loved people. His sensitivities made him acutely aware of other human’s struggles and he could strike up a conversation with people anywhere he went. George was never shy and he never let his disabilities hold him back. He was the first one to jump up to greet you or hold the door, offer you his seat or simply lean in for a big hug. He made friends everywhere he went, from the Lancôme counter at Macy's, to the cashiers at Stop & Shop & to the staff at Public Image. Everybody loved Georgie!
Georgie’s faith in God was extremely important to him. This deep rooted faith is what kept him going throughout all his challenges. No matter what he was faced with he and his faith was never shaken. He regularly prayed the Novena to Baby Jesus with his mom and loved going to church on Sundays.
Georgie was one amazing person. He was a living example that you can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in your life. Always fighting and wanting to better himself, Georgie underwent many surgeries at NYU and he said he would undergo as many surgeries as necessary or until Dr. McCarthy would allow him to, quitting was never an option. His disabilities never stopped him from fully living his life. Georgie loved the ocean and being in the water, at the young age of 2 with his tracheostomy, his parents would take him the beach and in order to be able to put him in the water which he so loved, they would cover the hole and bring him in. He was never scared to live and face new challenges, he always found a way.
After President Theodore Roosevelt’s passing a notable politician remarked, “Death had to take him sleeping, for if Roosevelt had been awake there would have been a fight”. The same could be said for Georgie. He loved life and while his family covets everyone’s prayers for comfort, they take joy that Georgie is now an angel in heaven, right next to Jesus whom he loved.
Georgie was the loving son of Jorge and Ana Barboza; dearest brother of Claudia and husband Joe Monello, and Tatiana and husband Jason Jarrell, all of Wayne; amazing uncle of Nicholas, Joseph, and Sydney Monello, and Troy Jarrell. He was predeceased by his dear maternal grandparents: Jesus Ernesto Zota and Candelaria Zota de Rojas; his dear fraternal grandparents: Jose Domjngo and Chiquinquirâ Barboza de Martinez; and his two dear uncles: Carlos Javier Zota and Jesus Ernesto Zota.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Thursday, December 3, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, December 4, 2015 at 9:00 AM from the funeral home, then to Annunciation of the Virgin Mary R.C. Church, 45 Urban Club Road, Wayne, where at 10:00 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Interment will follow at Christ the Cemetery in Franklin Lakes.
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Thursday, December 3, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, December 4, 2015 at 9:00 AM from the funeral home, then to Annunciation of the Virgin Mary R.C. Church, 45 Urban Club Road, Wayne, where at 10:00 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Interment will follow at Christ the Cemetery in Franklin Lakes.
George H. Barboza “Georgie”, age 42 of Wayne, passed peacefully into God’s precious care on Tuesday, December 1, 2015.
Georgie’s health took an unexpected turn for the worse on November 17 and his incredibly loving family stayed right by his side for twenty-four hours a day right up until the time he passed.
From the day Georgie was born, he faced physical, mental and emotional challenges the average person could never imagine. Georgie underwent his first tracheostomy on the second day of his life and spent the next 11 months of his life in the ICU at Martland Hospital in Newark. On June 26th, 1974 he came home for the first time ever, and shortly thereafter he was turned over to the hands of NYU medical center where over the course of the next 21 years he underwent many surgeries to save his life and to better himself. Despite the challenges he was presented, anyone who knew this loving, courageous man would tell you what a blessing he was. Earth’s loss is truly heaven’s gain!
Georgie was born in Passaic and lived there during his early childhood. In 1986 he moved with his parents, two sisters and grandparents to Wayne where he resided to this day. Georgie was a gifted pianist who started playing when he was just six years old. His maternal grandmother Candelaria Rojas was his first piano teacher. Georgie had such an innate sense of musicianship, he would wedge a maraca in his shoe and keep the beat of the music by shaking his foot while playing the piano and, when it came to the piano, he could play almost any piece of music you put in front of him! He especially enjoyed playing jazz and classical music, Broadway music and songs by Billy Joel.
Georgie took great pleasure working as a pianist for various local nursing facilities such as Llanfair Nursing Home, Wayne View in Wayne, Oakland Care Center and Hamilton Plaza in Clifton. Georgie was such a loving, caring person and it honestly gave him the greatest pleasure to see the residents dance and the smiles that came on their faces when he played something from their younger days like a classic polka or a song by Frank Sinatra.
Georgie's greatest pleasures in his life were clear, Family, his faith in God, Music & Cooking. Georgie not only loved listening to music for himself but he loved sharing it with others. During any family gatherings, especially at every NYE Celebration at his parents’ house, Georgie was known as "DJ Georgie" He also enjoyed just playing music any day of the week, inviting his family to dance in the kitchen.
Georgie was a man of Colombian descent, in fact his own parents and grandparents hailed from Colombia. Since Georgie was such a lover of family he loved to visit his extended family in Colombia a lot. He spent many summers in Colombia but his favorite time was going there in February for the traditional "Carnavales de Baranquilla" where he danced for days to his favorite music. He loved living and sharing with family, enjoying great music and delicious foods of his homeland. Spanish was always his preferred language whether home or abroad.
As well as teaching him to play the piano, his grandmother also inspired Georgie's love for cooking, especially foods typical of his family's Colombian culture such as Arroz con pollo, (chicken and rice), Camarones al ajillo (Garlic Shrimp), Carne puyada, (traditional pot roast) & Pappas chorreadas (red potatoes covered with a delicious sauce made with scallions, tomatoes, cream and cheese).
Famed 19th century American author Washington Irving once said, "There is an endearing tenderness in the love of a mother to a son that transcends all other affections of the heart". Well, if you didn’t know any better, you would have to think that Washington Irving was thinking about Georgie’s mother Annie when he was inspired to say that. Georgie and his mom had the most special bond a mom and son could ever imagine having. From the moment Georgie was born with all of his seemingly insurmountable challenges, Annie was right there, fighting for his life. As Georgie grew and as life went on, it’s almost as if their minds and hearts meshed into one cohesive being. They went everywhere and did everything together. They were each other's life.
He had a very special relationship with his nephews and niece from the time they were little babies. His nephew Nicholas had colic as an infant so to make Nicholas feel better, Georgie would dance with him, whenever Joey would sleep over at Abuelita's house, right next to Georgie in his bed was where he wanted to be. Sydney was Georgie's little princess and he loved to play with her and draw together.
When his nephew Troy was sick in the NICU at St. Barnabas Hospital for 51 days, Georgie and his mom were faithfully by his side every one of those fifty-one days and praying for Troy in the hospitals chapel. Georgie had a special connection with Troy as he is also challenged with mental and physical disabilities. He saw himself in him.
In good times his niece and nephews would come over Georgie’s house for sleepovers and Georgie would drive to Stop & Shop for their favorite foods like waffles, sausages and Mallomars. In the mornings, he was the first one up to make them breakfast. He’d play with them, play the piano, dance, watch you tube videos and just do whatever they wanted to do.
Georgie gave them so much love and taught them so much. They never looked at Uncle Georgie as being different although he had obvious facial defects; he taught them there was nothing wrong being different in any way, to be accepting and show respect and love to all. They loved & admired Uncle Georgie.
Family or friend, Georgie just simply loved people. His sensitivities made him acutely aware of other human’s struggles and he could strike up a conversation with people anywhere he went. George was never shy and he never let his disabilities hold him back. He was the first one to jump up to greet you or hold the door, offer you his seat or simply lean in for a big hug. He made friends everywhere he went, from the Lancôme counter at Macy's, to the cashiers at Stop & Shop & to the staff at Public Image. Everybody loved Georgie!
Georgie’s faith in God was extremely important to him. This deep rooted faith is what kept him going throughout all his challenges. No matter what he was faced with he and his faith was never shaken. He regularly prayed the Novena to Baby Jesus with his mom and loved going to church on Sundays.
Georgie was one amazing person. He was a living example that you can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in your life. Always fighting and wanting to better himself, Georgie underwent many surgeries at NYU and he said he would undergo as many surgeries as necessary or until Dr. McCarthy would allow him to, quitting was never an option. His disabilities never stopped him from fully living his life. Georgie loved the ocean and being in the water, at the young age of 2 with his tracheostomy, his parents would take him the beach and in order to be able to put him in the water which he so loved, they would cover the hole and bring him in. He was never scared to live and face new challenges, he always found a way.
After President Theodore Roosevelt’s passing a notable politician remarked, “Death had to take him sleeping, for if Roosevelt had been awake there would have been a fight”. The same could be said for Georgie. He loved life and while his family covets everyone’s prayers for comfort, they take joy that Georgie is now an angel in heaven, right next to Jesus whom he loved.
Georgie was the loving son of Jorge and Ana Barboza; dearest brother of Claudia and husband Joe Monello, and Tatiana and husband Jason Jarrell, all of Wayne; amazing uncle of Nicholas, Joseph, and Sydney Monello, and Troy Jarrell. He was predeceased by his dear maternal grandparents: Jesus Ernesto Zota and Candelaria Zota de Rojas; his dear fraternal grandparents: Jose Domjngo and Chiquinquirâ Barboza de Martinez; and his two dear uncles: Carlos Javier Zota and Jesus Ernesto Zota.
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