George Alphonse Desmarais

George A. Desmarais, 100, of Annandale, VA, peacefully entered his heavenly home on June 14, 2025 surrounded by his loving family.

George was born in 1925 in Manchester, NH in the home his parents built and lived in all of their lives. He was pre-deceased by his parents Eva and Alphonse Desmarais and was the brother of the late Sister Beatrice Desmarais, R.S.M. He was also preceded in death by the love of his life, Genevieve, who passed away in 2021, also at 100.

George served in the Army Air Corps during WWII as a glider mechanic in the European Theater and in the reserves following the war. He met Gene, also a WWII veteran, at a USO dance in Washington, DC and they married in 1948. They spent the next 73 years devoted to each other and their family in a marriage made in heaven. Shortly after the war George became an Esso/Exxon service station owner for almost 40 years, first in District Heights, MD, and then in Camp Springs, MD. His station motto was “Drive With Ease After You Leave”.

George and Gene were proud to be among the founding families of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic School in Camp Springs, MD, where he was an avid supporter of the sports program. George was a charter member of the St. Pius X Council of the Knights of Columbus in Forestville, MD. He also committed himself to serving as an usher at The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, even after retiring to Salisbury, MD.

In their retirement years in Salisbury, they became members of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. He was a member of the American Legion, and active in the Knights of Columbus, Eucharistic Ministry, Joseph House Food Pantry, Coastal Hospice, and he planned many “Cemetery of the Innocents” which memorialize aborted babies.

George is survived by his 6 children, Bea (David) Lowe of Salisbury, MD, Dave (Kathy) Desmarais of Clinton, MD, Carl (Chris) Desmarais, Vienna, VA, Phil (Pat) Desmarais of La Plata, MD, Mary (Rich) Bork of Wyoming, DE, and Carol (Bob) Miller of Chantilly, VA. He also leaves behind to cherish his memory 10 grandchildren, Genevieve, Doreen, Lee, Mary Catherine, Michael, Annie, Rita, Andy, Joe, and Maria, and 4 step-grandchildren, Angel, Alisa, Matt and Jeff. He is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren, Bella, Payton, Cooper, Beckett, Jack and Nicholas, and 3 step-great-grandchildren, Josie, Cole and Brinkley. He also leaves behind his beloved niece, Allis (Bernie) Guay of Hyattsville, MD, and their children Madeline and Ian, as well as his beloved sister-in-law, Rita Orzel of Erie, PA.

George and Gene spent many fun-filled and relaxing times with family at their second home in Ocean City, MD. He especially enjoyed sitting on his porch watching the boaters, family crabbing, and the magnificent sunsets over the Bay.

George will always be remembered for his kindness and gentleness. He was a devout Catholic, giving generously to his church and those in need of support. He had a great sense of humor, including periodically throwing a single firecracker out of his upper bedroom window into the backyard. His children will fondly remember him calling out on Sunday mornings from the front door as he prepared to leave for church: “Roses are red, violets are blue! I won’t be late because of you!”. They will also fondly recall his advice to “Remember who you are” as they left the house for various activities. And lastly, he will lovingly be remembered saying goodbye while doing the “Grandpa wave”.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 27th at 11:00 AM at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church at 5416 Henderson Way, Camp Springs, MD. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00. A repast will be in the parish hall following the Mass. Burial will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to: The Joseph House c/o Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary, PO Box 1755, Salisbury, MD 21802-1755.