Funeral today for dad who drowned saving son

Friends, relatives and members of Dubai Orthodox church visited the Embalming center in Sonapur, Dubai to pay their respect to the pharmacist who died tragically on Friday (July 22).

George Joseph, 49, was at Mamzar beach with his wife and two kids when he saw his youngest son drowning.

Instantly he dived in to save his son even though he didn't know how to swim. He could save his son, but George could not be rescued.

He was pronounced dead on arrival in the hospital.

A prayer meeting was held in the Sonapur Embalming Center on Monday and the surrounding area was crowded with people paying their last respect to the deceased.

Everybody mourned the tragic end of a peaceful and quite man.

The dead body has been repatriated to India early Tuesday and the burial will take place in Sultan Bathery cemetery, Wayanad district of Kerala.

The family is also in India.

"The wife, a nurse in the Japanese school has been under his (George) sponsorship. She will return on her employment visa. The children are yet to complete their schooling and higher education.

"The younger son, who was rescued by George from drowning is a 8th standard student in an Indian school here and his elder sister is pursuing a management degree. The representatives of Dubai Orthodox Church are talking to the school and college authorities to facilitate completion of their education," said family member informed Emirates 24|7.

George, who was a pharmacist with Al Nazeem Pharmacy, has been a UAE resident for more than a decade.

A colleague who worked with George said, “We worked together for ten years and he was one of the best pharmacists."

He is survived by his wife Shiny George; daughter Sohia Joseph and son Ahil Joseph.

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