Obituary: George Anikow, 41

George Anikow, 41, passed away on November 24, 2012 in Manila, Philippines.  

George was a resident of Herndon, VA, but has been living in Manila since August 2012.  George was born on May 28, 1971 in Howell, NJ to Saveta and the late Tscheda Anikow.  

He graduated from Howell High School in 1989 and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in 1993 from the University of Rhode Island. Dedicated to a life of service, George achieved the rank of Major in the US Marine Corps.  He joined the Marines in 1993 and served 8 years (1994-2001) as an infantryman and was currently on assignment as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee.  

George was a platoon commander with the 1st Marines/3rd Division, Kaneohe, Hawaii; S-3 with CSSG-3, and S-2 with HQMC.  George successfully completed a 9-month combat tour in Afghanistan in 2009, where he served as Acting Executive Officer for the 4th Civil Affairs Group, 8th & I Marines, in charge of developing relationships with the local Afghan population.  George was currently assigned with the J-5, Joint Chiefs of Staff.  

MAJ Anikow earned numerous awards and distinctions during his military career, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.  

He has also served his country in the Diplomatic Security Service and the State Department. George dedicated his spare time to his children and his community.  He was an enthusiastic and beloved soccer and baseball coach, and an active participant in his daughter’s competitive cheer program.  He was always ready to help a neighbor or friend in need.  

He loved his family with his whole heart yet he saved some space for his community and the friends he made there.  George was the best of us all, he was a devoted family man, a loving son, a great friend, and a true patriot. 

George is survived by his wife of 15 years, Laura Anikow, son Jacob, and daughters Grace and Sophie of Herndon, VA; mother Saveta and sister Lishma of Howell, NJ; sister Mary of Jersey City; sister Ilma of Honolulu, HI, and a niece Julia Kubeck as well as close cousins too numerous to mention.

A service celebrating his life will be held at the DiCostanzo family owned Lakewood Funeral Home, 6250 Highway 9, Howell, NJ, with a viewing on Sunday 12/2 from 1-4 pm, and funeral service on Monday 12/3, beginning at 1:00 pm with a religious service, followed by a family eulogy at 1:30 pm and Military Honors at 2:30 pm.  

For further directions, please visit www.funeralhomenj.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to an education fund for George’s children.  Please send a request for more information to GeorgeAnikowMemorial@gmail.com.