George Kechanin

February 26, 1946 – September 17, 2022

Kind, insightful, bright, witty,and intuitive are some of the words that
describe George Kechanin. George left us on September 17, 2022. He
was born in Edmonton, Ontario in 1946. George was adopted by Marko and Drajina Kechanin when he was two
months old. They lived in Toronto, Canada. His father took a year off
work to get to know his new baby son. As the child grew and could
appreciate, his parents took him on many trips to see the beauty of
Canada. His parents are deceased. Being an only child, George longed for
a brother. Eventually he and his cousin, Drago, became like brothers to
each other. Marko died when George was just eleven. He was devastated by that
loss. His mother was never the same. The family business (furriers) was
lost. George worked from age twelve. He went to high school and
worked at a pharmacy for several years. The pharmacist would have
loved if George had taken over his business when he was an adult. But life had other plans for George. Always a church goer, he begin to
seek his own spirituality after high school. His parents were Orthodox
Christians, and George felt called to spend a year with a group of
Orthodox Monks in New York state. This is when he made the decision
to follow Jesus Christ. After his experience at the Monastery, George was informed that he
could receive a free college education if he went to Belgrade, Yugoslavia, the country where his parents had grown up. This is what he did and he
met wonderful, lifelong friends. He received a Master’s Degree in
Philosophy, Psychology, and Theology. George returned to Canada and married his former sweetheart, Peggy. His first born child, a daughter Stefanjia, his “crown”, was soon born. Her
brother, David, his “beloved,” was born two years later. David
proceeded George in death by just seven months. Their sister, the
youngest child, Christina, “Christ follower,” was born about seven years
later in Billings, Montana. At this same time when George married, people began to urge him to
become an Orthodox Priest. He soon felt the call and began his
priesthood in 1970 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He also served in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Billings, Montana. Peggy and George divorced in the 80’s and George began to feel that the
priesthood was not for him any more. He later met the love of his life, Laurel Elaine [Lollie] and they married in 1987. They moved to Phoenix
and have lived there since then. They had a wonderful, tumultuous, adventurous life. George was doing counseling up to his death. He loved
helping people and he loved the men he counseled in the treatment
center where he worked. George is survived by his wife, Lollie; his children: Stefanie (Clay), Melanie (Jason), Drew (Heather), Christina, and Marie. He is also
survived by his grandchildren: Dylan, Braxton (Madelyn), Chazz, Reese, Anastacia, Zachary, Eliana, Nicholas, and Katherine. George Kechanin was well-loved, admired, and appreciated by his family
and friends. Good night, sweet Prince. See you soon