George J. Mraz (Jiri Jaroslav Mraz), born March 23, 1922, passed peacefully on February 20, 2024, just shy of his 102nd birthday. George was predeceased by his wife of sixty-three years, Milada Mraz, in 2010. He is survived by his daughter, Magda Mraz, of New Haven, son Jerrold Mraz and his wife Debra of Oxford, CT as well as three grandchildren, Jody (Mraz) Uva and husband Jonathan of Boston, MA, Lynn (Mraz) McCreary and husband Matthew of Austin, TX, Jason Mraz and fiancé Joy Sgobbo of New York City, and two great-grandchildren, Alice McCreary and Emily Uva. He is also survived by his two sisters, Magdalena (Mrazova) Krondl, of Toronto, Canada, and Jaroslava Mrazova of Prague, Czech Republic.

George was born in Chocen, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic). He left to study in England at the age of seventeen. He graduated from the Imperial College of London in 1943 and joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the United Kingdom during WWII. There were many Czech airmen in the RAF, but he was one of the last two surviving members.

George married Milada upon returning to the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, the country fell to communism shortly after in 1948. In 1967, George was able to defect with his wife and two children to Switzerland. From there they came to the United States on September 7th, 1967. George lived with his family in New York City and quickly found a job as an Engineer. His last job was with The National Forge Co. in Massachusetts. Besides his job as Manager of Engineering, he was a very active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). He moved with his wife to New Hampshire where they spent many years enjoying their dream house, pool and gardening. In 2005, he moved with his wife to Connecticut to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

George was an avid photographer and loved technology. Even in his late 90s, you would often see him carrying an iPhone and iPad. He joined Facebook and would "like" his grandchildren's work anniversaries on LinkedIn. George lived an extraordinary life and was deeply loved by his family and friends.

Memorial services will be held Wednesday February 28, 2024 from 3:00 – 5:00 P.M., at Munson Lovetere Funeral Home, 235 Main Street North, Southbury, CT.  To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com