Deacon George N. "Papa" Mickwee, age 87, passed away March 8, 2019. Devoted to his Catholic Faith, his family and his Lebanese heritage, he was born March 23, 1931, in Asheville, NC, the fifth child of Nomy Abraham Mickwee and Bedour Zail Mickwee Baraket.
He most especially loved and cherished his family, particularly his spouse for over 53 years, Lucia Kenhan Mickwee who preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving daughter, Lynne Mickwee Nicholson; his son-in-law more like a son, Joe and his grandchildren: Chris (Chelsea); Leigh Vanderver (Jeff); Andi Sealy (Ben); Betsy(Fiance Taylor Terenzi) and four precious great grandchildren, Allie and Nick Vanderver, George Tucker and Lucy Sealy. He is predeceased by his brothers, Shebel Mickwee and Naseeb Mickwee and two sisters, Adla Mickwee Tobia and Lillian Mickwee Resha.
Throughout his life, he had an ongoing love for people, loved to laugh, and was generous in his expressions of warmth and friendliness. He loved to participate, to be involved, and to make a difference. He had a passion for music, theater productions, and travel. He was an avid Alabama and Miami Dolphins fan.
In his youth, he was a member of St. George Melkite Catholic Church and attended St. Paul's elementary school in downtown Birmingham. He graduated from John Carroll Catholic High School, where he was very active in extracurricular activities and was voted Most Outstanding Boy in his senior class. He continued his education at the University of Alabama and the University of Miami (Florida). He also received a graduate diploma from the Institute of Financial Education.
George served four years with distinction in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant. While based at Keesler Air Force Base, he formed a group of entertainers among the enlisted men, who performed variety shows for the enjoyment of the troops.
Lucia and George were married during his third year of military service. After being discharged from the Air Force, they made their home in Miami, FL, where he obtained a position as a teller at CenTrust Savings Bank, formerly Dade Federal Savings. He was with CenTrust for 31 years, rising to Executive Vice President of Marketing and Branch Operations of the 14 billion dollar financial institution with 54 branch offices. George was active in both civic and professional organizations. He served as president of the North Miami Beach Kiwanis Club and later as Secretary/Treasurer of the 16th Division of Kiwanis International.
In 1979, George was ordained a bi-ritual permanent deacon (Roman and Melkite Rites) for the Archdiocese of Miami and was assigned to his home parish, St. Maurice Catholic Church, Fort Lauderdale. He was appointed by the Archbishop of Miami to serve as Formation Director for the Archdiocese Diaconate Formation Program, serving seven years in this capacity. The Miami Archdiocese presented him with the first Archdiocese St. Stephen award for distinguished service as a deacon, now an annual presentation to the most deserving Archdiocesan Deacon. Deacon George was elected to the National Advisory Council of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference and served as regional delegate for four years. During the third year of his tenure, he was elected to serve as secretary of the NAC.
After retirement from CenTrust Savings Bank, he and Lucia returned to Birmingham to be near their daughter, son-in-law, and four grandchildren. Feeling he was too young to retire, he was hired by the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry where he served as a clinic manager. In 1990, he was selected to organize and develop UAB MedWise, a program for senior citizens, eventually bringing the membership in nine years to almost 100,000. George looked upon MedWise as a ministry to seniors, seeking to respond to the needs of the elderly for a healthier mind, body, and spirit.
He directed Life Styles at Riverchase Galleria for UAB MedWise and was instrumental in helping to provide thousands of free health checks and bringing several celebrities who presented on the MedWise stage at the Galleria. Charlton Heston, Debbie Reynolds, Lauren Bacall, Dixie Carter, Carol Channing, Tony Randall, Henry Winkler, Ben Vereen, Naomi Judd and Jane Wyatt were among the celebrities who were featured on the MedWise stage.
For three successive years, he arranged for the NBC Television Network live broadcast of the weather portion of the Today Show with Willard Scott from the MedWise stage at the Galleria. MedWise members who had reached the age of 100 were also celebrated on the air. George organized for MedWise a senior citizens’ dance at the BJCC, which attracted over 2000 persons to "trip the light fantastic."
He also served as a member of the UAB Center for Aging Community Advisory Committee, and the UAB Pastoral Advisory Committee. In 1991, under his direction, UAB MedWise was presented with a Telly Award for Superior Marketing; he received the University Hospital Individual Award for Excellence; and UAB MedWise was presented with the Forbes McKay marketing Firm of the Year Award sponsored by the Birmingham Chapter of the American Marketing Association. In 1994, he was selected as Choice Champion for Individual Outstanding Contributions in Health Care, sponsored by Choice Hotels International and was featured in an article in New Choices for Retirement Living, a national publication. The City of Birmingham proclaimed September 27, 1994 as George Mickwee Appreciation Day.
In 1995, George was presented with the UAB President's Medal, an annual award for outstanding service to the University. He was also featured in an article published by Birmingham Magazine. He was presented with the Alabama Golden Eagles Award in 1994, when he was elected to the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in recognition of his service to senior citizens in the State of Alabama.
Eleven other health systems requested and received information on how UAB MedWise was organized and developed. After his retirement from UAB, he enjoyed a part-time position with the UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging as Community Affairs Consultant.
In view of his many years working with seniors, and with strong support from family and good friends, the UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging designated the nurse’s station to honor George and his wife Lucia in the Acute Care for Elders unit at UAB Highlands Hospital.
In Birmingham, Deacon George first served at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and was later assigned to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where he continued to enjoy working with elementary school children. For over twenty-six years throughout his ministry, he was facilitator of Children's Liturgy of the Word where he always emphasized to the children the need to recognize Christ in their lives. He also served as director of St. Francis Xavier Altar Servers.
Deacon George was a fourth degree knight of the Knights of Columbus and served as an officer of the College of Deacons for the Diocese of Birmingham, AL. He is a past Chaplain of the Sierra Club of Birmingham and served as a member of the Diocesan Renew Community Core Committee.
Honorary Pallbearers include deacons of the Diocese of Birmingham and good friends Robert E. Luckie III, Dr. Richard Allman, Jake Culotta Jr., Lee Woodry, Stephen Vise, Rudy Rose, and a special fist bump to Pat Bailey.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, with Mass of Christian Burial following at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Deacon George's name may be made to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Building Fund, 2 Xavier Circle, Birmingham, AL 35213 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38101.
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