George F. Lepeak
March 30, 1958 • June 20, 2001

George, our cherished son, brother, husband, and father passed on Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio following a sudden brief illness. He was 43 years old. The son of JoAnn J. Giacoma and the late Leonard J. Lepeak, George was born in Saginaw on March 30, 1958, the eighth of twelve children. He attended Zilwaukee School and graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1976. He then joined the U. S. navy and proudly served for 20 years, retiring with the rank of Chief Petty Officer in 1996. He met and married the love of his life, Katie, on September 29, 1989. They have one daughter, Sophia. After traveling worldwide during his Naval career, George worked and lived in Jacksonville, Florida and recently moved to Waynesville, Ohio. George spent many happy hours gardening and especially loved woodworking. He was a sports fan, always rooting for Michigan teams - Go Blue! He shared a great love and appreciation of jazz music, particularly Dixieland, with his Dad and his very dear friend, Tom Donnenworth. Family was especially important to George. He was devoted to his wife and daughter and parents. He was a favorite Uncle to his nieces and nephews. All of his sisters and brothers will miss him greatly, but his baby sister Shirley will miss him the most. He was an incredibly good-natured and compassionate man. He lived every day of his life with gusto and an endearing smile. There are no words to describe our grief at his passing.

Surviving besides his wife Katie and daughter, Sophia, are his mother, JoAnn Giacoma and stepfather William Giacoma of Florida. His stepmother, Judith Lepeak of Zilwaukee, eleven brothers and sister, Carol Ann Greenberg from George, Diane Lynne (Mike) DeBol and John (Sherry) Lepeak of Florida, Joseph (Zeny) Lepeak of California, Mike (Heidi) Lepeak, Fran Lepeak, Mary Kay Lepeak, Steve (Cheri) Lepeak, Jim (Tina) Lepeak, Julianne (Larry) Durek and Shirley Lepeak of Michigan. Four Stepsisters and brothers, Ron (Dottie) Goodrich, Matthew Goodrich, Becky (rich) Jacklin, Pattie Goodrich of Michigan. Many Aunts and Uncles, 33 nieces and nephews and 8 greatnieces and greatnephews, many cousins and friends. George was predeceased by his father, Leonard Lepeak and a nephew, Dean Lawrence.