George Petrovitch

George Petrovitch passed away at his home at the age of 82 on September 20, 2018, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous and hard-fought battle with Lymphoma. 

Born on September 6, 1936 in San Paulo, Brazil, George was the eldest of 8 children. 

George lived for his passions: classic cars, Harley Davidson motorcycles, soccer, good music, better food, but most of all God and his beautiful family. His laughter was hearty and contagious.  He told the best stories and jokes and just before he got to the punchline, his eyes would sparkle at just the right time as he closed out the joke, bringing everyone to laughter.  Being born and raised in Brazil, soccer was one of his many passions.  He was a lifelong member of the Brazilian soccer Sport Club Corínthians. He was a gifted musician and enjoyed playing the mandolin.  He was a talented mechanic and learned that trade from his father at a young age.  George had a mechanically inclined mind, a restless curiosity, and hands that would do his bidding as he overhauled engines, pulled apart pistons, and ensured the precise timing of carburetors.  Old cars and expired engines would be given a second life at George’s hands, and he welcomed the challenge.  His greatest achievement was rebuilding a 1953 Cadillac from scrap metal.  George never met a stranger.  Having a great meal with newly made friends was often a rite of passage.  His friends became evermore plentiful, so did his stories. 

Even with his love for classic cars and motorcycles, his hobby that turned into a full career, his passion for music and friends, none of these compared to the love George had for his family.  He and his wife Maria Elazir were married for 40 years and had a love that served as an example of what true love was meant to be to everyone that was blessed enough to witness it.  He called her his little Batatinha, his “little potato”.  They have two amazing and loving daughters, Stephanie and Jennifer.  George was incredibly proud and would often brag about them to whoever was nearby.  But above all else, George was a Godly man. He could recite any passage from the Bible, spread the word of God, kept his bible by his bedside and would write down different passages that were important to him. Even more so, he taught his daughters to love God, the word of God and to put God first, ahead of anything else.  

As we mourn the passing of a truly wonderful man, he would want us all to remember how much he loved us, wanted the best for us, and wanted all of us to remember how blessed we are to be surrounded with opportunity, family, and God in our hearts.  George was the son of Ivan and Zena Petrovitch.  He is survived by his wife Maria Elazir, his daughters Stephanie and Jennifer; his siblings Olga, Paulo, Alisa, Pedro, Joao, and Ana and his many nephews, nieces, and cousins. 

In lieu of Flowers, we ask that a donation be made in his honor to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to further research. 

Service for George will be on Friday October 12, 2018 at 10am at the Glick Family Funeral Home at 3600 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33431.  Burial will follow at the Boca Raton City Cemetery. 

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