George E. Tooma

George E. Tooma, 72, of Forks Township passed away on October 29. 2023, at St. Luke's, Anderson.

Born May 5, 1951, he was the son of the late George H. Tooma and Alice Samra Tooma. He attended Phillipsburg public schools and graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1970. Shortly thereafter, George entered the Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Brookline, Massachusetts, as a novice and then became a monk. He left the monastery in 1990, resided in Hamilton Township, NJ, for a year before moving to Easton to reside with his father and later, take care of him.

George enjoyed growing up on Lincoln Street in Phillipsburg and visiting with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends. He spent a lot of time with grandmother Mary Samra, learning the history, culture, and cuisine of the Middle East. His beloved aunts and uncles were there to support him (Mary Ajhar, Rose Worman, Josephine France, Tony Samra, and Charles Samra.) George's hobbies were religious studies, world history, and Middle Eastern cuisine and affairs. 

George is survived by his sisters, Lenore Sabala, Janet Tooma, and brother Nicholas Tooma, Sister-in-law, Karen Tooma, step sister, Peggy Anne Kotek, nieces, Melanie and Julie Tooma, and first cousins, Doris Feagley and Lorraine Fyfe. George also had many second cousins: Richard Knauss, Tony and Michael Samra, Marilyn Thornburg, Susan Rekers, Fred France, Elaine Prutzman, Charlie Samra, Joan Tooma, Ed Tooma, Joe Ajhar, Georgianne Ajhar, and Nora Ajhar.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, November 6, 2023 from 9:30 to 11:00 am at the Finegan Funeral Home at 302 Heckman Street in Phillipsburg, NJ, with a funeral service beginning at 11:00 am at the funeral home. The interment will be at the Fairmount Cemetery in Phillipsburg. 

In addition to accepting flowers, donations may also be made to the American Near East Refugee Aid, 1111 14th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005