Reverend George F. Maroun Obituary (1948

Reverend George F. Maroun, age 67, died unexpectedly on Thursday, June 30, 2016 in Saranac Lake, New York. Father Maroun faced several health issues leading to his retirement in 2015. He was residing at St. Bernard's Church in Saranac Lake at the time of his death. Calling hours will be from 4 to 8 pm at St. Alphonsus Church in Tupper Lake onTuesday, July 5. A vigil service will take place at 7:45 PM. Most Reverend Terry R. LaValley will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Alphonsus Church on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 11:00am with priests of the diocese concelebrating.Father Maroun was born in Tupper Lake on September 25, 1948, the son of Camil and Naivie Maroun. He studied for the priesthood at Wadhams Hall Seminary in Ogdensburg and Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Stanislaus J. Brzana at St. Mary's Cathedral in Ogdensburg on May 4, 1974. Following ordination, Father Maroun served as assistant pastor at St. Mary's Cathedral in Ogdensburg and later at Holy Family Church in Watertown along with being assistant director of the Diocesan Mission Office. He served the Diocesan Mission Office for twenty-six years, first as assistant director and then as director from 1989-2004. Father Maroun served in Mollendo, Peru at St. Martin de Porras Parish from 1982 until his return to the United States in 1988. He continued to visit the South American mission regularly highlighting his dedication and love for missionary service. Upon his return from the mission in Peru and after a short sabbatical leave, he was named parochial vicar at St. Anthony's in Watertown and, in 1989, was named pastor in Norfolk. In 1994, Father Maroun was appointed to the faculty of Wadhams Hall Seminary-College where he served as spiritual director and assistant professor of language and religious studies. Finally, he served the people of St. James Minor Church in Carthage and St. Mary's Church in Copenhagen as pastor from 2002 until his retirement in 2015. Father Maroun is survived by his brothers, Majeed and his wife Heather, Dr. William C. and Carol Fuller, and Camil G. and his wife Ellen, as well as a large extended family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Martin de Porras Parish (checks should read Missionary Projects of the Diocese of Ogdensburg (MPDO)), St. Augustinian Academy in Carthage or the Heritage Fund of St. James Minor Church in Carthage.