Dear boys,
We recently suffered an unbearable loss. While we had only known George for a fraction of his 30-year tenure at MCS, we loved him deeply and dearly. Traveling a long distance to work, he was always the first to arrive to school each morning, greeting generations of students with high fives and a loving smile. Both watchkeeper and emotional touchstone for staff, students and parents alike, he made sure that every child started their day knowing their presence mattered.
Neighborhood kids appreciated George’s high fives too. He once told me that a little girl would ask her mother to walk down 85th street, not because she went to school at MCS — in fact going down that street was out of the way — but because she wanted to say hello to him. That’s just how special he was.
Before Grey was old enough to attend MCS, we’d drop Cash off and head to preschool. That’s when Grey and George’s friendship blossomed, each morning playing a silly game of hide and seek. He would pretend not to see Grey in his hiding spot, looking all around only to give him a big tickle when he “discovered” him.
Fleeing his birth country as a young man he taught himself to speak over seven languages, traveling through numerous countries before making it to America. George always led by example, sharing life lessons with those he cared for. If a student was up to something, he’d say, “We were young once too.” And every time I left the building saying, “See you tomorrow George!” he’d reply, “God willing.”
George was the one to put Cash’s bag on the bus for his very first farm trip. Afterwards offering a few words of encouragement before he headed on his first sleep-away. It’s because of this love George spread to those of us fortunate enough to know him, that I burst into tears when I read about his passing. Cash came beside me and rubbed my back as I sat with my head in my hands. Sobbing. “I’m sad too Mommy, I’m just not crying like you.”
For the next few weeks teachers processed with their students the tremendous loss of George for our school community and hundreds of alums. Current students, including both of you, made a mural of hand tracings with written memories, signifying all the high fives you’d received over the years from George. It hangs on the wall at the top of the staircase. While it’s difficult not seeing him standing in the doorway every morning —another victim of this vicious Covid — there is comfort knowing he is with his heavenly Father whom he served faithfully, keeping watch over us still.
Rest in peace George. Always and forever.
The Davis Family
