George Anthony Kresovich
November 9, 1949 - August 24, 2013
Obituary
George Kresovich
George A. Kresovich, age 63, died Saturday, August 24th, of complications from a cerebral hemorrhage he sustained on July 9th. George was a superb lawyer, a devoted husband, brother, and uncle, a talented chef, and a legendary raconteur. Most of all, George had the enviable gift of forging deep and abiding friendships throughout his life. His countless friends deeply mourn his untimely death.
George was born in Chicago on November 9, 1949, the youngest of four children. His parents, George and Anne, died in an automobile accident when he was four, and George was raised by his aunt and uncle, Bernadette and Marko Kresovich. He received a first-class education in Catholic schools and graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There was no prouder son of the Golden Dome than George, who followed the fortunes of the Fighting Irish throughout his life. After serving as a lieutenant in the Marine Corps, George attended the University of Michigan Law School, again graduating with honors. He began his legal career as an assistant state’s attorney in Chicago prosecuting a wide variety of criminal cases. In 1978, George moved to Seattle and joined the law firm of Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson, where he practiced land use and real estate law for the next 35 years. A gifted writer and creative lawyer, George was universally beloved by his colleagues at the Hillis firm and held in high esteem by his many clients. He was voted a Washington Super Lawyer by his peers in the profession, a well-deserved accolade.
In 1984 he reconnected with and married his college sweetheart Sue, truly the love of his life. They delighted in entertaining friends and family, who always looked forward to George’s gourmet meals and genial hospitality. Sue and George traveled often to the Midwest to visit their families, as well as to Hawaii and the little town of Hudson, Wyoming, where George had spent childhood summers and both planned to retire. They had a wonderful life together, joyously shared with their siblings, nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
The bare facts of George’s life don’t begin to capture his great soul, sweet temper, and infectious grin. George engendered tremendous affection and regard in those he met, a tribute to both his heart and his head. He was a witty and sparkling companion, and because he truly cared about other people, he had more best friends than anyone around. And there was never a dull moment with George. He was a voracious consumer of the written word who read both widely and deeply, a lover of literature and nonfiction alike, everything from history to economics to physics to biology. George relished nothing more than a robust debate of ideas and issues, though always with civility and great good humor. He was a lovely man.
George is survived by his wife Sue, his sister Anne Hanek (Joseph), Marge Flynn (Tom), Kathy Mical (Larry) and brother Tony Kresovich, and loving in-laws Mike Mulry (Beth), Gail White (Russ), Becky Straubel (Pat), Lisa Mulry (Kerry Rasikas), and Pat Mulry (Kelly), 21 loving nieces and nephews, 14 great nieces and nephews, and two wonderful godchildren.
A funeral mass will be held at Saint Joseph Church, 732 18th Avenue East at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, August 29th with visitation one hour prior in the church vestibule. A reception will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (www.mcsf.org) and/or Community for Youth in Seattle (www.ComunityForYouth.org).
A memorial service for friends and family to celebrate George’s life will be held on Tuesday afternoon, September 17th. More details to follow at this site and at http://www.caringbridge.org.
So far away. But the miles don’t much ease the sadness of the loss. You will be missed… but not forgotten…. Heres to you George Kresovich… May God Bless you, and may God Bless your family.
Sue & family,
My heart goes out to all of you. Let your warmest memories of George help to ease your grief and bring you comfort at this difficult time. My prayers are will you.
With warm regards,
Eileen
The legal profession has lost one of its brightest stars. George was such a pleaasure to deal with – wise, compassionate, charming, and really, really funny.
I’m so sorry to hear about George’s death. He was very supportive of me and my endeavors. I think he was a lovely man and my heart breaks for Sue. She and George were wonderful together.
Oh our hearts are heavy. George’s obituary is truly a tribute to him. His life, although way too short, was his tribute to God. Being far away it is so hard to get our heads around his passing. I know in my heart that our great reward is not on this earth, however my human-ness wants all to stay the way it is here on this earthly plane. To all of the Kresovich and Mulry clan, our love and prayers. To Sue what can I say, but I am walking by your side.
Much Love,
Mary Jo and Tom Galetto
He was by far the kindest attorney I ever worked with. I am so sad for his family and friends but I hope you all take comfort in a life so well lived.
George represented our family in an eminent domain case that proved to be an insurmountable challenge. We seemed to lose on every motion along the way but outlasted opposition and still own the property after the so-called ‘essential public project’ fell under the weight of its own inadequacies. George was dogged in our defense and we will miss him sorely.
George was one of a kind- a unique thinker, voracious reader, compelling writer, loyal colleague, and friend. He was a gifted attorney, who never took things too seriously. We will forever miss that enveloping smile and huge heart. To Sue, all of us here at HCMP have you in our thoughts and prayers.
Thanks for the photos on this sight. That smile, incredible sense of humor, and delight in life and love of people and I could go on…
My heart aches for you, Sue. George was such a great person. I’ll see you after the funeral Mass.
Morry
George was always one of my favorite attorneys at Hillis. He was always so friendly and down to earth. And funny. He will be missed.
Hadn’t seen George in a number of years but he’s a guy you don’t forget. A truly great guy–he will be sorely missed. My deepest sympathy to his family. We will keep George and all his family in our prayers.
My sympathies to Sue and the rest of George’s family along with his family at HCMP. I loved the short time I worked for George and looking back on my time at HCMP I’ll always remember his great smile and true interest in everyone he met and his devotion to his clients. Rest in peace George.
Our wise counsel and luminous renaissance man will be deeply missed. Our hearts go out to Sue.
My heart goes out to Sue & George’s family. I felt a instant bond with George the first time I met him as we had been Marine Corps Officers. His generous giving, interesting conversation and great cooking made you want to be around George. I will always remember our times together up on Capitol Hill. God Bless!
In July, we were stunned by Sue’s phone call, but remained hopeful for a good recovery. George’s passing seems unreal, and has left a hole in many of our hearts, in our lives. Growing old together here in Hudson was the next exciting adventure, that will now be missing a vital component. But with you, Sue, we will continue to plan those days together.
George will walk with us in spirit and in our stories.
Much love,
Michaela and Mike
We are so very sad for you, Sue, and your wonderful extended family and for all of George’s family of friends. What a guy he was. We were out of town for his Mass, but were with you in spirit and will be with you for his life celebration. Our dearest thoughts are with you.
So very sorry for all of your family. Sue, I cannot imagine your pain and grief! The Woodard’s are sending their love to you all, God Bless!
I just received the word about George’s passing…
We were high school classmates from 1964-67 at St. Jude’s Seminary in Illinois.
What I remember about George is that he always recognized the possibilities and challenges in front of him, and always embraced them with faith and hope.
Gene Amberg
I am so sorry to hear of George’s death. Sue and George had us out for a meal with Vince Schmidt for a National Library convention in Seattle some years ago. It was wonderful connecting with him and his wife after many years from St. Jude Seminary. He wrote my graduation bio and captured my chaotic spirit in words. Always insightful and smart with that twinkle in his eye and a quick laugh at the ironies of life. My deepest condolences and love to George’s family. Marcel
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the death of George Kresovich. I well remember George from our shared high school days at St. Jude’s Seminary in Momence, Illinois. I well remember George’s infectious smile and general good humor.
I definitely miss George. He was a wonderful person.
Steve & I are so sorry to hear of your husbands passing last year. Sounds like he was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Here is my email Sue and would love to hear from you.
Steve & Sue Stormzand
stormie949@yahoo.com
Spent much of yesterday afternoon thinking of George and Sue, wonderful memories of time in Seattle, while making “George’ Kresovich’s Famous Mexican Bean & Rice Casserole,” a Lippert family favorite. Miss you!
I just learned of George’s passing yesterday when I was looking online to see if George waa still practicing here in Seattle or had finally decided to retire and settle in Wyoming.
I am truly saddened. During my time managing the development department at Schneider Homes, George and I spent untold hours together dealing with land use laws affecting our projects or sitting and testifying together at the numerous public hearings we attended.
I never spared George the pride I felt in my Alma Mater Oregon State University being 2-0 all time against George’s Fighting Irish of Notre Dame on the gridiron.
I will always remember his infectious smile, his friendship and his genuine personality. Great man.
We will meet again my friend. 🙂
God’s blessings and continued love and comfort to Sue and all the family and friends left behind.
George! I must be a voice in the Wilderness. For I cannot permit myself to “miss you.”
Oh, no, that is not what and how you taught us, in places where you worked your magic, like Chicago and the lyceum at 2340 W. 23rd, in South Bend, in Ann Arbor, in Hudson and Seattle. I was a lucky eyewitness and real time beneficiary! “joie de vivre” was how you lived and “joie de vivre” is how you will be remembered. What did Shaw write? “Life is no “brief candle” for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” Shaw wrote that for you!
You are a splendid torch who burned brightly, and as long as I’m fogging a mirror, your light still shines brightly. that is the least we, we happy few you touched, owe you! Love, Bubba Semper Fi! Go Irish! Go Blue!