George Awais

Dr. George M. Awais of Shaker Heights, Ohio passed away peacefully on October 30, 2025, at age 95. He was born in Ajloun, Jordan on December 15, 1929. Dr, Awais graduated from the Bishop’s School for Boys in Amman. He arrived in the United States by ship in 1951 to attend Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He studied chemistry and enjoyed singing hymns in the chapel. He went on to study medicine at the University of Toronto. He became a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and physician.

Dr. Awais practiced Gynecology at the Cleveland Clinic for the majority of his career and was committed to his work and his patients. In 1971 when he joined the medical staff at the Cleveland Clinic, he was one of only three Gynecologists in the department. In 1975 he took a temporary leave to help establish a Department of OB/GYN at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, He was an active member of the National Arab American Medical Association and served as president in 1991. Dr. Awais enjoyed being a member of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs. He encouraged those around him to challenge and debate established ideas and histories. He loved his family, the orchestra, and international affairs. Dr. Awais felt most at home in Cleveland and in Ajloun. He was deeply honored to receive Jordan’s high civilian distinction, the Order of Independence (Wisam al-Istiqlal), by Jordan’s late King Hussein in 1992.

Dr. Awais was predeceased by his father Musa of Ajloun, his mother Meha of Marjayoun, Lebanon, his brothers and sisters Elias, Nuha, Fouad, and Montaha. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Nabila Rizk, children Dahlia (Ahmed), and Mazen (Amrita), grandchildren Gigi, Kai, and Milan, his sister Nuhad, and many nieces and nephews and their families.

Services will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 12:00 pm at St Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Cleveland, 2100 E Pleasant Valley Rd, Seven Hills, OH 44131. Burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery.