Jorge was born to Henrik and Berta Mezei in Budapest, Hungary on April 15, 1936. He was a child survivor of the Holocaust. Despite living through great hardships, he shined early as a gifted student and intellect. After World War II, he immigrated with his family to Caracas, Venezuela. He graduated from Andres Bello High School and won a scholarship to MIT, where he earned a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering. He later completed a Master's Degree in Mathematics from NYU.
Upon graduation from MIT, Jorge began working for IBM at the Thomas J. Watson Research Center where he became a pioneer in the development of computer languages. During this time, he lived in White Plains, N.Y. with his wife Irma and their two daughters, Irma Rosa and Laura Magdalena. In 1970, IBM transferred Jorge to Philadelphia, Pa, where he taught mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania until moving to the San Francisco Bay Area to continue his career with IBM until retiring after twenty-six years. He later worked at Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale, Ca. for ten years.
After his final retirement, Jorge dedicated his time to his many and diverse interests, hobbies and his growing family. He enjoyed: volunteering at the Stanford University Theater, folk and ballroom dancing, running marathons, and hiking with the Sierra Club. He belonged to a local mathematicians club, and volunteered tutoring reading to ESL elementary school children. An avid reader, he continued his life long pursuit of learning about the world and universe. His two daughters were the principal beneficiaries of his vast and detailed knowledge on many diverse subjects and will always be grateful that their father shared his many gifts with them in love.
Jorge loved to travel and explore new and exciting lands. Before embarking on a trip, he would become an expert on his chosen destination often learning the language. In his later years, he greatly enjoyed being an active member and volunteer 'Super' for the West Bay Opera in Palo Alto. Jorge spent his final years in Mesa and Gilbert, AZ, where he battled Parkinson's Disease. He passed on peacefully on May 28, 2020 with his family by his side.
He is survived by his daughter Irma Rosa; sister Magda; grandchildren Anthony, Warren, Ryan, Rachel and Katie; nephew Hank, and his former wives, Irma Mezei and Karen Marcus. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Laura Magdalena Vedder, mother of Ryan Rediess, and Rachel and Katie Vedder.
We will miss Jorge, but smile when we think of him. He was kind, thoughtful, humble and brilliant. Truly unique.
Memorial Donations May be Made in Jorge's Honor to: Banner Neuro Wellness Gilbert. 207 N. Gilbert Rd. Suite 205. Gilbert, AZ 85234, and/or the Michael J. Fox Foundation Online or a P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 or
by Phone 1-800-708-7644.
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