George A. Panos

PANOS, George A. Formerly of Cambridge and Watertown, died peacefully on October 17, 2008, at the age of 85 in his home at West Palm Beach, FL with his loving wife of 62 years, Stella (Patselelis) at his bedside. Blessed with many devoted friends and caring extended family. Devoted father of Arthur and Van Panos. Loving grandfather of Brenton, Marisa and Alexis Panos. Survived by nieces Stella Pathiakis of Melrose, Joanne Martinos of Wilmington, Joanne Sintiris of Belmont, Mary Velkos of Cambridge and nephews John Tsolas and his wife Robin of Pembroke, Billy Sintiris of Springfield and the late Stephen Jais and his wife Colleen of Nokomis, FL. Also survived by many grandnieces and grandnephews. Godfather of Jeannie Papagiorgaris and her husband Peter. Visiting hours in the Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox Church, 25 Bigelow Ave., Watertown Monday from 8:30-10 AM with the Funeral Service beginning at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Interment at MA National Cemetery, Bourne. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the above named Church in his memory. Graduated from Cambridge High and Latin School in 1941 with high honors. Attended Texas A&M College, studying advanced engineering and pharmacy. Proud U.S. Army Veteran and Purple Heart recipient during W.W. II as a member of the 409th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Division, serving as sergeant and heavy mortar crewman in combat operations against the German ground forces and personnel in France, Germany and Austria. He was a businessman, having been owner and operator of Goff's Auto Stores in Somerville-Cambridge for over 30 years. Loyal Parishioner at the Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cambridge, the Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox Church in Watertown and St. Catherine's Greek Orthodox Church in West Palm Beach, FL. He loved sports throughout his younger years, playing a point guard during basketball season and an aggressive catcher during baseball season, and he always enjoyed swimming. He helped to establish a Jr. Goya Basketball League while at Sts. Constantine and Helen Church, giving him great joy in watching his sons and their friends develop into Hellenic sportsmen. At his Retirement Community Center in FL, he loved teaching swing, ballroom and contemporary dance classes with his wife Stella as his co-instructor. He also developed a passion for tennis, idolizing Pete Sampris. In his later years, he relished watching all the Boston sports teams' games on television when he could. His favorites were the Patriots, followed by the Celtics. The successes of the Boston teams over the past 7 years kept him energized. He remarked that he never thought he would see the Boston Red Sox win a pennant, let alone a World Series in his lifetime. He was thrilled to see the Red Sox come back and beat the Yankees 4 straight in 2004 for the pennant & then go on to beat the Cardinals 4 straight for the World Series, the first for the Red Sox in 86 yrs. When the Sox rolled over Colorado 4 straight in 2007 for another World Series trophy, he was totally ecstatic saying that the Lord must truly be a Boston sports fan, especially since the Celtics won in 2007 too. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Babalas & Demarkles Funeral Home CAMBRIDGE