George Robert Markow

George Robert Markow, age 89, formerly of Lebanon, CT, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2014 in West Hartford, CT. Born on March 7, 1925 to the late Russian immigrants Nadya (Milkova) and Robert (or Vladimir) Markow in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Predeceased by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Tania (Khmel), George is survived by his brother Basil and wife Sue (Bracebridge, Ontario). He is also survived by his children Stephen (Boca Raton, FL), Peter, and his spousal equivalent Emily Kissell (Windsor, CT), Cathie, and her husband Dan Shaffer (Pescadero, CA), and Renie (Colchester, CT). His spirit and legacy live on in his grandchildren Alex (Miami, FL), Nicole (New York City), Ian (New York City), and Eric (Jackson, WY), and in his nieces Leslie (Toronto), Carrie (Ichelson, Oakville, Ontario) and his nephews Tim (Oakville) and Jason (Vancouver, British Columbia). He will also be greatly missed by close relatives Nikolai and Serge Sorokin, and family friends Kathryn Langley Hope, Arthur Langley, and Chuck Stroberg. The late Lucy Stroberg and Trisha Langley were also dear to his heart. George graduated from the University of Toronto in 1947 with a Bachelors degree in electrical engineering. He became a US citizen in 1948, started his career with Bailey Meter (now Bailey Controls, Cleveland, OH), and joined IBM in 1954. Between 1954 and 1960, George was awarded seven technical patents. He was IBM's Space Systems Manager from 1964-1966, and retired in 1981 after 26 years. He was always very socially and community minded being involved with the Broome County (NY) Council of Churches, their Jail Ministry Program, directed the McSweeney Senior Center (CT), served on the Board of Deacons of the First Congregational Church of Lebanon, and helped others through Spiritual Counseling. George loved woodworking, reading history and politics, and tinkering with things. Later in life he became an artist who enjoyed painting and sculpturing. He loved dogs. He and Tania traveled mostly to Canada and to Russia, but also to many islands and around the US through the Elder Hostel programs. George always enjoyed a good laugh, and loved to engage in lively discussions. He and Tania were well known for hosting their Russian Easter parties, complete with numerous lemon vodka toasts! As George himself would say, "for everything there is a season". He will be greatly missed. A life celebration service at the First Congregational Church of Lebanon will be held on Monday, June 16, 2014, at 11 am with lunch reception following. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the First Congregational Church of Lebanon, so dear to George's heart and soul.