The life and loss of Georges Sara

It is with immeasurable pain and heartbreak that I write this to share news of the passing of my incredible father, Georges Elias Sara.

For those unaware, Georges 123-day battle to overcome extensive complications after contracting COVID-19 ended on Sunday, November 22nd. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing nurses and practitioners at NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center for not only caring for my father whilst he was across the other side of the world, but for also caring for the family whilst we were over here in Australia.

The current pandemic has truly changed the world. It posed barriers to us physically being with him, but through the care and compassion shown to all of us, we felt comfort in knowing that they were not only caring for a patient, they were truly caring for a colleague.

Words simply cannot describe the fight he put up for those 123 days. And now, we must say farewell to a colleague, a boss, a son, brother, husband, father, and most importantly, grandfather.

Those of you reading this will have known Georges in various capacities. Over recent days, I have been overwhelmed by the messages and phone calls received from people whose lives dad had impacted. The common theme from all of these communications was how fondly Georges spoke of his work and his family. They spoke about how Georges treated his clients, his colleagues and his staff as though they were his own family. This environment and approach to business is something Stoneglass Industries will continue for Georges.

Georges started out as a young Dental Technician. His achievements and successes are proof that dedication, passion and a "can-do" attitude can lead to extraordinary things. Georges was the first to bring Zirconia Crowns into Australia. He managed to implement his CAD/CAM invention, Prosthetic Design Centre (PDC) across the globe. His work was immaculate and the quality of all products with his name on them was never questioned. There are still patients today that have 21-year-old crowns and implants in their mouths that he made. Cancer patients in New York have had their lives changed through his amazing work. Georges was awarded honorary professorships across multiple Universities in the United States that allowed him to train the next generation of dental professionals.

I cannot deny that he was as tough and stubborn as they came. Yet it came with good intention, purpose and reason. A human being with a brilliant mind and an even bigger heart, he had this extraordinary talent of seeing the world through a lens that not many could. He thought differently, spoke differently and dreamt of things not many others could. He had a wonderful sense of humour and always managed to leave a lasting impression on all those who came into his life.

I am very much my father's daughter. Since birth I have been blessed to have been involved in various roles within the business. From being that little girl who was babysat by sales reps at yearly dental conventions to actually being the one presenting his inventions at international exhibitions. Every moment spent with Georges was an honour and a privilege.

Just like all of you, I am in utter disbelief that he is no longer with us. The man that wore his white Stoneglass polo shirts, shorts and sports shoes to meetings with University Deans will no longer sit in his Sydney office, telling his loving wife to get him a cup of coffee or rub his shoulders. Or ask me why I didn't bring the kids to work.

My family and the Stoneglass team happily shared less time with him whilst he pursued his great American dream. He has managed to connect us with an amazing group of colleagues who have become family. It is through these connections that Georges made that the team at Stoneglass/PDC will continue that dream on his behalf.

They say the good ones leave us way too early. You left us way too early dad. Your influence on this world and this industry will be felt for decades and generations to come. What you started, we will endeavour to continue.