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Father George Graziano, S.J., who taught for many years in Tokyo, died March 9 at Juntendo Geriatric Medical Center there. He was 81.
He taught oral English, presentation skills and writing at Sophia University in Tokyo, where he introduced media-based English courses, using computers and other technology. He also taught on the Faculty of Law.
Born in Brooklyn, he entered the Jesuits in Poughkeepsie in 1947 and professed vows in 1949. He prepared for priesthood at Weston College in Massachusetts and Woodstock College in Maryland.
He also studied at a language school in Japan and taught at Sophia University, 1954-1956.
He was ordained at Fordham University Church in 1959, then studied applied linguistics at Georgetown University. He returned to Sophia University in 1961 and taught there until his retirement about 11 years ago. He remained in Tokyo but spent time as a volunteer in Myanmar, where he also taught English using computers and videos.
He is survived by a brother, Samuel Graziano of Ridge.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Ignatius Church in Tokyo, with burial in the church crypt.
