With sadness and gratitude for a life well-lived, we announce the death of George Esseff, Sr. on December 23, 2022. He died surrounded by the love and prayers of his wife, siblings, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. While George was the patriarch of the Esseff family, his love and care for others was felt worldwide.
George was born December 21, 1929, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. While attending college, he met the love of life, Rosemary Dorning. On November 26, 2022, they joyfully celebrated 70 years of marriage with a vow renewal and gathering of family and friends. George and Rosemary created an enduring legacy of love with 4 children and their spouses; George, Jr. (Sherrie Nelson), Mary Ellen (David Spencer), Kathy (Mike McIntyre), and Denise (Joe Ortiz); 11 grandchildren and their spouses, and presently 20 great-grandchildren.
George was a successful entrepreneur and pioneer in the titanium business, who was involved in many business ventures around the world. Following the example of his own grandfather, George’s greatest passion was for sharing his monetary and spiritual wealth. In founding the Esseff Foundation, he helped many causes within his community including funding transitional housing for Many Mansions in Thousand Oaks, and regularly supporting Ventura County Catholic Charities and Mary Health of the Sick. He helped build homes in Haiti, schools in Uganda, and he ensured medical equipment and supplies were sent to Lebanon, Haiti, Vietnam, and Uganda.
George is survived by his immediate family including his brothers Msgr. John Esseff and Joe Esseff, Jr. as well as his sister Marlene Elias. He was welcomed into his Heavenly home by his grandparents, parents, his sister Mae Ann, and his beloved daughter, Denise.
George will be truly missed, but his legacy of love, kindness and charity will live on in his family, friends, and those he inspired. He wanted his family to remember an earthly life is temporary and to focus on living deeply in their faith, so one day we will all be reunited in Heaven.
A vigil (12/29/22 at 7:00pm) and a funeral Mass (12/30/22 at 10:00am) will be held at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Westlake village. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Ventura Catholic Charities.
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