John George Betar, Sr.
John George Betar, Sr., 107, of Fairfield, CT, died of old age on September 12 in Trumbull, CT, surrounded by his wife of 85 years, other loving family, and devoted caregivers.
Born in Soueidieh, Syria (now Samandag, Turkey), on July 20, 1911, to George Michael Betar and Mary Bal, John immigrated to the United States as a ten-year-old with his older brother, Michael George Betar. After a long journey by boat, they landed in Providence, RI, and eventually reunited with their father in Bridgeport, CT. John attended Prospect School through the eighth grade and then began peddling fruit along Connecticut's Gold Coast in the 1920s. He also played baseball for the Polish Falcon League. Around 1930 he met the love of his life, a Bassick High School student named Ann Shawah. Ann's hand had been promised to a distant relation, but John and Ann were determined to be together. They eloped on November 25, 1932, in Harrison, NY, much to the surprise of some relatives, who exclaimed, "This marriage will never last." Just after their 80th wedding anniversary in 2012, John and Ann were honored by the Worldwide Marriage Encounter as one of America's longest married couples. The Betars celebrated their 85th wedding anniversary in November 2017, and prior to John's passing, they were thought to be the world's longest living married couple.
John was the owner of Betar's Market in two sequential locations on Broad Street in Bridgeport and worked there tirelessly from the mid-1930s to 1967, when he took up real estate and passed ownership of the grocery store to his brother Michael. He was a founding father of Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Bridgeport and served as Parish Council President from 1957 to 1968.
From 1991 to 2005 the Betars divided their time between Fairfield and West Palm Beach, FL. As a centenarian John continued to grow his own tomatoes, bargain hunt in Fairfield grocery stores, and enjoy Tuesday night poker games. Most of all he thrived on time spent with his wife and family on Fairfield Beach.
John is survived by his wife Ann; three of his five children—Maryann Skelton of Portland, ME, Judith Metro of Washington, DC, and Renee C. Betar of Litchfield, CT; twelve of fourteen grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind a nephew, Michael G. Betar Jr., of Huntington, NY. John is predeceased by a son, John G. Betar Jr., and a daughter, Joan B. Mitchell, both of Fairfield. John also lived on after two of his grandchildren, Ruth Skelton of Lewiston, ME, and Andrew Pike of Litchfield, CT.
A funeral service will be held Monday, September 17, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, 5458 Park Ave, Bridgeport with the Very Rev. Father Romanos Malouf officiating. Entombment will follow in Mt. Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport. The family will receive friends Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John George Betar Sr. may be made to Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. For information or to offer an online condolence please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com
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May he Rest in Peace.
Lillian Haurilak
September 8, 2020
What a great life and love story. God Bless
Steve Base
October 21, 2018
Our prayers & condolences to Maryann & family.
Tom & Angie Connolly
September 19, 2018
Thomas Connolly
September 19, 2018
I grew up on the South end of Bridgeport and remember Betar's store . After seeing Mr. Betar's picture I remember him as well as a kind gentlemen. If I remember correctly every member of his family worked at the store at one time or another along with kids from the neighborhood. My condolences to the family and friends who will miss him dearly.
Caffey Coleman
September 18, 2018
So very sorry to hear about John's passing. Our deepest sympathy to Anne and family. May his 'Memory be Eternal'.
Fred & Ann Diker
September 18, 2018
Our deepest sympathies to the Betar and Shawah Families. Memory eternal.
Jim and Barbara Pandaru
James Pandaru
September 17, 2018
Our family were customers of John's from the start.
I would leave a grocery list in the mail slot on my way
to work on Friday mornings. Our groceries were delivered
to my Mother later that morning.Rain, snow, heat, we
could always depend on him and Mike.
Our deepest sympathy. The Falco family.
September 17, 2018
Ann, Renee and family....my sincerest sympathy to you all. May John's memory be eternal
Paula Chaber
September 16, 2018
Lillian (Rodi) Haurilak
September 15, 2018
Jack Madigan
September 15, 2018
I am 81 years young and remember my mom sending me to his store on broad st he worked on weekly payments thank you always knew what you needed. part of my good childhood,
pat jones rua
September 15, 2018
Our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
May he rest in peace.
G. Michael & Liz Keklik
September 15, 2018
Offering our deepest condolences during this time.
The Staff of Spear-Miller Funeral Home
September 15, 2018
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