With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. and Colonel George Leslie Bondar on August 15, 2024. Born on October 18, 1953, in Calgary, Alberta, George attended Crescent Heights High School and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1975. Prior to attending medical school at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, George was employed as an in-house engineering consultant for the City of Calgary and a university lecturer in business administration. Post medical school, he completed three medical residencies: family practice, occupational/environmental health, and finally dermatology, the field in which he spent the majority of his medical career caring for patients, primarily in the greater Tampa area.

George entered the Air Force as a General Medical Officer in 1989. He volunteered for active duty during the Persian Gulf War and served as the Squadron Medical Element Flight Surgeon. He also served as Chief of Aeromedical Services, Special Assistant to Wing Commander-Medical Services and during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as Expeditionary Medical Group Commander. George was also deployed to the Balkans on numerous occasions in support of Operations Provide Promise, Joint Guard, and Joint Forge. He was the first Air Force Reserve flight surgeon to graduate from the Advanced Airlift Training and Tactics Course. He was awarded a Bronze Star among many other military awards and decorations.

Amidst his medical and Air Force careers, George pursued additional education, as he was a lifelong learner and mentor, and earned an MBA, MPH, LL.B, and MHA, the latter from Duke University, after which he became a die hard Blue Devils fan.

George's favorite local spots included Maggie Mae's and The Plum VIP Lounge, where he enjoyed time with family and friends.

George leaves an extraordinary legacy of service and generosity, appreciated by his family, patients, medical colleagues, fellow veterans, labrador retrievers, and many dear friends.

Predeceased by his beloved wife, Cathryn Bondar, George is survived by family and many friends including his brother Les Bondar (Lori), niece Carly Bondar (Philip Bester), nephew Kevin Bondar, sister-in-law Heidi Callaghan (Bill), brothers-in-law Peter Schweitzer (Ana Maria) and John Schweitzer, and niece Maria Pendergast (John).  He is also survived by his three cousins with whom he grew up in Calgary, Alberta:  Stephen Gyorgy (Doreen May), Margot Gyorgy (Brad Culver) and Philip Gyorgy. 

A church service, military honors service and reception will be held to celebrate George's life on August 31, 2024, at 12 PM at St. Jerome's Parish, 10895 Hamlin Blvd. in Largo, Florida. The service will be live streamed by St. Jerome's for those unable to attend in person.  The link is stjeromeonline.org. 

Donations in George's honor are suggested to be made to Operation Second Chance or Feeding Tampa Bay, two of George's favorite charitable organizations. 

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