Harry Galifianakis

On August 3rd, 1935 in Durham, North Carolina, Harry Galifianakis was born.  The son of two immigrant parents, Sophia Kastrinakis Galifianakis and Emmanual Galifianakis, he entered this world and brought with him a heart full of love, joy, and laughter. He was baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church and remained a devoted follower of Jesus' teachings throughout his life.  At a very early age, Harry started working at his father's restaurant that served the African American community in Durham. Depending on which brother you ask, he was behind the lunch counter around the age of 8, although Harry would say it was age 4. Being in the middle of five brothers, Harry came by his competitive spirit honestly. That competitive spirit drove him to play football at NC State University. And as most of you knew, he was the most athletic of the brothers, easily beating them at sports such as tennis, golf, ping-pong, and gin rummy. He left college early and joined the U.S. Navy.  After serving in the Navy, his entrepreneur spirit took him back to Durham/Chapel Hill, where he opened a jazz club, The Tempo Room. In the following years he worked various sales jobs, all the while dreaming of opening a hot dog stand. A dream that he never realized but kept alive until the end.

While in Durham, an event occurred that would forever change his trajectory. He met a blonde powerhouse named Mary Frances Cashion. As both have said repeatedly, they were never really that serious, until they got married May 13, 1966.  And from that day on, Mary Frances was by his side as his best friend, confidant and dance partner. In early 1967 the newlyweds moved to Wilkesboro and Harry went to work for her father at Cashion Oil Company.  He immediately started assimilating into the Wilkes County community by joining the Rotary Club in May,1967 where his unwavering dedication continued throughout his life.  They attended the North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church. 

During his time in the oil business, he served as Vice President of the North Carolina Oil Jobbers and took over ownership of Cashion Oil and Eller & Huffman until his retirement in the early 2000’s. He quickly realized that at age 70, he as was too young to retire and went to work for Brame Huie Pharmacy, delivering medicine and smiles to the home-bound community. His last job, and one that he was particularly proud of, was serving on the Board of Directors of Wilkes Hardware. Although the legitimacy of that position was debated and questioned to this day, he faithfully occupied his rocker at the front of the store, serving as the official customer greeter. 

He loved his community dearly and proved it by volunteering and supporting the community in numerous ways including serving as a  member of the Wilkes Board of Elections and the Wilkes YMCA, as a scout leader and supporter of Troop 336, a consistent blood donor to the Red Cross, and a member of and former president of the Wilkes Rotary Club, where he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. He participated in community theater, landing roles as “Rabbi” in Fiddler on the Roof and “Moonface Martin” in Anything Goes. He was also eligible to join the Screen Actors Guild.  With acting, as well as about anything thing else in his life, he rarely followed a script. He also coached youth football and was the town’s Santa Claus for many years. Now that he is no longer residing on Edgewood Drive, we can finally share with you that he was and is indeed the real Santa Claus.

With all the love Harry had for his brothers, extended family and friends, he had an unlimited supply left for his wife and their three children, their spouses, and his grandchildren. He was the personification of what true love is and he ensured he passed that knowledge onto his kids.  He adored them and never, ever stopped supporting and believing in them and taught them how to love, laugh, and cry. He taught them to love everyone. He taught them that hate was easy, and love was hard, but love is the key to happiness. He welcomed their spouses as his children, not as in-laws. And oh, how he loved his grandchildren. With the arrival of each grandchild, his heart and happiness grew bigger.  The man proved that happiness has no boundaries if you allow yourself to welcome it into your heart.

The pain we are all feeling pales in comparison to the love and memories we will carry with us the rest of our lives. We know he is somewhere high above us, proudly standing behind his hot dog stand serving up love, happiness, and that special smile of his. We are all better for being a part of Harry’s life. We will miss and love forever “Harry, “Mr. G”, “HG”, “Uncle Harry”, “Dad”, “PaPou” and “Uncle Bubbles”.  

Harry Galifianakis died at his home on Sunday, July 15,, 2018.  He is survived by his wife, Mary Frances, sons Greg and Gia of North Carolina, Zach and Quinn of California, and daughter Merritt and Palmer Owings of South Carolina; Brothers Nick and Louise of Durham, NC, Mike and Frances of Atlanta, GA, Pete of Washington, DC, and John and Helen of NY; Grandchildren Palmer, Susannah, Olivia, Franklin, and Rufus; and sister-in-law Susannah Cashion of Florida; as well as numerous nephews, nieces and great nephews and nieces. 

Memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, July 21 at The Walker Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wilkes ADEP-Greater Community Fund, Communities in School or the YMCA of Wilkes County. To honor Harry, you may also go out today and share a smile, say hello to a stranger or reach out and hug your neighbor. It would have made him so happy. 

Miller Funeral Home is overseeing the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.millerfuneralservice.com.