Bishop McGraw of the San Jose Catholic Diocese spoke of
George’s unwavering commitment to see the high school
through to completion, which is why I continue to serve as a
board member and a big supporter of that project.”
Susan Krajewski worked with George for seven years to
develop the Catholic high school project.
“I’ve never met anyone as focused as George Chiala
was when it came to achieving a positive outcome in every
situation,” Krajewski said. “He would set an enormous goal be-
fore our group and assure us of his confidence in our abilities,
then he gave us the freedom to get the job done. He left people
feeling they couldn’t settle for anything less than success.
His legacy is alive in South County through the people who
now champion his passions. George was a remarkable, giving
man with a loving spirit.”
Carl Reinhardt’s friendship with George went back about
20 years when his wife Jeri and Alice Chiala worked together
on a school lunch program at St. Catherine’s.
“We became friends while working on the Catholic high
school project. George also engaged my services as a financial
investment advisor. After church, or
meetings about the project, we’d sit for
a while and talk about our families. One
day George said, ‘Carl, every time I start
a new project I hit you up for money, and
every time you start a new project you hit
me up for money. We’ve gotta make some
new friends!’ George had perseverance
and a strong faith. He was always helping
people whether it was workers in need
of housing or something else. With the
high school project, h e was not only the
linchpin, bringing together his family and
friends and the Diocese, but he was very
generous in donating money and land,
and his family continues to support the project. I don’t think
there was a mean bone in that man’s body. He may have been
disappointed when things didn’t go as hoped, but he never
said a negative thing about anybody. I guess you could say he
is the Saint George of Morgan Hill.”
Healthcare Advocate
George served on the board of the St. Louise Regional Hospital
Foundation for more than 20 years, including a number of
years as its chair. The foundation raises funds to improve Saint
Louise Hospital facilities and equipment as well as services
provided to patients and their families.
With George’s passing, the foundation offered to take on the
hosting of the annual fundraiser, which traditionally took place
at the Chiala’s Fountain Oaks estate. This year’s Harvest Moon
Gala event was held at the Guglielmo Winery. A tremendous
turnout and generous donations made for a fitting tribute to
George’s deep and lasting commitment to healthcare in
South County.
In 2016, Mary Eileen “Dub” Drees took on the role of
Executive Director, Community Relations & Philanthropy
with Verity Health System, which includes St. Louise Hospital.
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
Shortly after that, she met George.
“There was a sparkle in his eye as he spoke about Saint
Louise’s mission,” Drees said. “Despite his personal health
challenges, he wanted to stay active on the board to help with
the fundraiser and to connect more people with St. Louise.”
“It was a labor of love for our event committee. The choice
of the Harvest Moon theme was a nod to George’s farming
heritage. He had loved opera so we brought in an opera singer
to perform. Every member put something of themselves into
it. Joe Aiello brought the centerpiece pumpkins. Judy Bonino
brought a truck of vintage produce displayed for guests
to enjoy.”
“Harvest Moon grossed $310,000 in donations to the
George Chiala Sr. Memorial Fund. The funds will support
renovations to the hospital’s Emergency Department. Another
cause near and dear to George’s heart was women’s health.
During the event we did a paddle raise to invite donations to
provide digital mammograms for uninsured women in South
County. Alice Chiala started it off at $10,000, and the final
tally was $96,000 in donations. The digital mammograms are
now being offered at the De Paul Urgent Care
Center and at St. Louise Hospital.”
“George and his family have established a
beautiful legacy,” Dreees added.
Mary Beth Anderson served as a funding
co-chair on the Catholic high school project,
and later joined the board of the St. Louise
Hospital Foundation. She was Gala Chair for
the Harvest Moon event.
According to Anderson, “George had a
vision for improved quality of healthcare in
South County. I had learned of his vision
and gotten to know Alice while we were on
a pilgrimage together in France. About six
years ago he recruited me to serve on the
hospital foundation board. He was a tremendous source of
inspiration to us, and Alice continues to be. They loved having
people gather at Fountain Oaks for good causes. George got a
kick out of having people stand around the piano and
sing together.”
“George would say that people make decisions about where
to retire based on having quality health care in the community.
He was excited about the future of St. Louise Hospital, and
now others are sharing in his excitement. We hope to see the
George Chiala Sr. Memorial Fund grow and continue to fund
improvements of the hospital facility and equipment, and the
quality of care for patients and their families.”
“At the Harvest Moon event, St. Louise Hospital Chief
Administrative Officer John Hennelly said that there were
16,000 women in South County alone who could benefit
from access to digital mammogram services right here in our
community so they didn’t have to drive a long distance. Event
committee member Debbi Sanchez asked guests to stand up
if they or anyone in their families had been touched by breast
cancer. There were people standing at virtually every table.
Now we need to get the word out.”
“If the outpouring of generosity inspired by George is any
indication, we’re going to make his vision a reality.”
Written By Jordan Rosenfeld
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
gmhtoday.com