George Nestor

ABSECON, N.J. -- George Peter Nestor, 90, died Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006, after declining health.

He was born in Sayeka, Greece, on March 13, 1916, son of Panayioti and Anna Panayiotopoulos. After the death of his parents, he emigrated to the United States at age 11 where he was raised and adopted by his Uncle Charles and Aunt Mary Nestor. He graduated as class president from Atlantic City Trade School in 1937 where he concentrated on woodworking, painting, and interior decorating; he captained the football, basketball and baseball teams.

He enlisted in the Army in 1940, trained with the 10th Mountain Division, then rejoined the 26th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Division at Ft. Benning, Ga.

He married Sophie Prodromos on July 4, 1942. Less than one month later, he sailed on the Queen Mary to England for preparation of the invasion of Africa. On the first day of the invasion, also Cpl. Nestor's first day in battle anywhere, he won the Silver Star medal and was promoted to sergeant. He fought against Gen. Rommel's German troops in Northern Africa and participated in the invasion of and fought across Sicily. On June 6, 1944, D-Day France, he was part of the second-hour landing on Omaha Beach at Normandy. He fought across France and Belgium, including the Battle of the Bulge, and crossed the Rhine into Germany.

For 34 months he served as a forward observer until he was seriously wounded. For his exemplary valor, bravery and leadership he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, The French Croix de Guerre, a battlefield commission to 2nd lieutenant, as well as numerous other commendations. He retired as a major after serving another 20 years in the Army Reserves.

After the war, he took a job with the Atlantic City Fire Department and later joined the fire department at NAFEC (National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center) until his retirement 30-plus years ago. He was active in the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Atlantic City, as church council president, on many committees, and as coach of boys and girls basketball teams well into his 70s. He was also active in: Order of AHEPA, VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Society of the Purple Heart, Morris Guards, Cooper Swamp Gun Club, Pleasantville Board of Education.

His determination as an immigrant personified his life. His humility, work ethic and dedication to his family made him the man he was and in turn, helped shape all of those he touched. His achievements as an athlete, his accomplishments in his career and his exploits on the battlefield are things of history and well-documented. His love of nature, hunting, fishing, being outdoors and the land dominated his pastimes.

His is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Sophie Prodromos Nestor of Absecon; children, Peter George Nestor, his wife Donna of Woodstown, and their children George Peter and Lindsay; Bill Nestor, his wife Flo of Brattleboro, Vt., and their son W. Ryan; Niki Nestor McNeely, her husband Ed of Mason, Ohio, their son Christopher and daughter Maria; Argy Nestor, her husband Donald Kleiner of Union, Maine, and sons Noah and Nicholas; a sister, Yiota Deves and her husband Mitsos of Akrata, Greece; godchild; nieces; nephews; great nieces and nephews; cousins; and many wonderful friends of all ages.

He was buried on Saturday, Nov. 25, with full military honors at the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery, Estell Manor.u