George S. Croffead, M.D., F.A.C.S., of Charleston, entered into eternal rest on the morning of January 6, 2010, Dr. George S. Croffead, Husband of Georgia Pappas Croffead. Residence, Charleston, SC. The relatives and friends of Dr. and Mrs. George S. Croffead are invited to attend the funeral services on Saturday, January 9, 2010 in the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity at eleven o’clock. Interment will be at Live Oak Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity on Friday between five and seven o’clock with a Trisagion Memorial Service held at six o’clock. Dr. Croffead was born February 16, 1924 in Charleston, SC, the son of Tom Sterlakos Croffead and May Pierakakos Croffead. Dr. Croffead was a graduate of Charleston High School, attended The Citadel and the College of Charleston. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Medical College of South Carolina’s School of Pharmacy in 1945 as the first honor graduate, also receiving the Kappa Psi Pharmacy Scholars Key, Lekn-Fink gold medal and the Merck Award. In 1950 he received his Medical Degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Croffead completed his internship at Roper Hospital in 1951 and moved to New York for postgraduate studies and residency in Ophthalmology. He interrupted his residency to serve in the US Air Force as a captain and base physician during the Korean War. He completed his residency at New York University-Bellevue Medical Center and became certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He started his practice in Charleston in 1957. In 1957, Dr. Croffead was appointed as an instructor at the Medical College of South Carolina in general ophthalmology with a special interest in neuro-ophthalmology. He worked his way up the academic ladder, achieving Clinical Professorship of Ophthalmology and Clinical Associate Professorship of Neurology. Dr. Croffead was a pioneer in his field. He was the first Neuro-Ophthalmologist In South Carolina and one of the first 30 in the country. He was the first to perform retinal detachment surgery utilizing the Indirect Ophthalmoscope in 1957. In March 1976 at St. Francis Hospital, he performed the first intraocular lens implant in Charleston. In 1982, he received the Golden Apple Award in Ophthalmology for outstanding teaching excellence. Dr. Croffead served as Chief of Ophthalmology at St. Francis Hospital from 1967 to 1982. He was vice-chairman of Ophthalmology at Roper Hospital from 1976 to 1982. Dr. Croffead was the first president of the Charleston Ophthalmological Society in 1976. Dr. Croffead was also a community force in that he previously served on the District 20 School Board, the Parks Commission and was a past member of the Board of Directors of the Dock Street Theater. The Greek Orthodox Church played a significant role in Dr. Croffead’s life and he played a large and prominent role in the life of the church. Dr. Croffead has held virtually every church office locally and nationally and is a member of the Diocesan Council of the Fifth Diocese of the Greek Orthodox Church of North America and South America. He is a past president of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Charleston and member of the parish council for 18 years. He has been a continuous member of the Dioceses of Atlanta Council since 1965 and of he Archdiocesan Council since 1968 and a life member since 1986. In 1969 he received the highest lay honor of the church when His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos conferred upon him the title of Archon Aktouarios of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and a member of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle. In 1981, the title was elevated to the highest level. In 1981 Dr. Croffead was appointed the National Chairman of the Saint Photios National Shrine in St. Augustine, Florida. The shrine commemorates the 1768 arrival in America of the first Greek immigrants and is considered the Greek “Plymouth Rock”. Dr. Croffead and his wife, Georgia, were so instrumental in the successful creation of the shrine that in 1985 they were designated as Godparents of the Shrine. Dr. Croffead has received numerous honors during his career. His various memberships in National Professional Societies consist of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology- Fellow; American Association for the Advancement of Science-Fellow; American College of Surgeons-Fellow; Society of Eye Surgeons- Charter Member; and Pan American Association of Ophthalmology. Dr. Croffead was also a member of the following local societies: Charleston County Medical Association; Charleston Ophthalmology Society – Charter Member and First President; Medical Society of South Carolina; South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology; South Carolina Medical Association; South Carolina Pharmaceutical Association; and Society of 1824 – Fellow. Dr. Croffead was a life member of the Elks; a member of Sertoma, Civitans, AHEPA, The Country Club of Charleston and a life member of the Association of Citadel Men. Beyond all of Dr. Croffead’s numerous achievements, he most importantly was a man who loved life and family. Some of his many interests and hobbies include his love of opera, languages, gardening, computers, classic movies, fishing and guitar. As an avid athlete, he competed in boxing in his high school and early Citadel days and later cherished his time playing tennis and golf with his family and friends. For thirty years he met weekly with the “Greek Six” to play cards and share life. Georgia was George’s beloved and they lived a fairy tale life of love and devotion. Making family a top priority, each Monday night the family would gather to feast upon Greek recipes handed down by past generations. During these dinners, there was always laughter and we loved it most when they would tell stories of the past, such as the first time they met. “I saw her across the room and just knew she was my one,” he said. They were engaged within the week and married soon after. Georgia saved the same anniversary card, each year adding the date to their 65 years of life together. She was by him until his end. To love and be loved is the greatest gift. He was a true gift who will continue to live in all who admired and adored him! Dr. Croffead is survived by his wife of 65 years, Georgia P. Croffead of Charleston; one son, Dr. Thomas G. Croffead, and his wife Pattie of James Island, SC; one daughter, Sandra E. Veronee, and her husband Michael of Johns Island, SC; three grandchildren: Christy C. Schachte and her husband David, Dr. James D. Elliott, III and his wife Catherine; Dr. Laurie A. Elliott and her husband Marshall Milligan; and six great-grandchildren. In Lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, 30 Race Street, Charleston, SC 29403 Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC. DOWNTOWN CHAPEL. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths. Tags: 1945
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