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George Saimes Obituary
age 71, passed away peacefuly Friday, March 8, 2013 with his loving family by his side after a valiant fight with leukemia. Born Sept. 1, 1941 in Canton, Ohio, he was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Saimes and Stella (Macedonides) Saimes, and his brother, Thomas Saimes, Jr. George started his career at Lincoln High School where he excelled in football, basketball, and track. He was inducted with the first class into the Stark County High School Football Hall of Fame. He graduated from Michigan State University where he was Team Captain and two-time All-American while playing football both on offensive and defensive. George also twice received the Governor‘s award for Most Valuable Player at Michigan State He was inducted into the first class of the Michigan State University Athletic Hall of Fame. George played ten years of pro football in The AFL (1963 1973) as a free safety with the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos. Among his many awards, he was chosen for the All-AFL team, played in five AFL All-Star games, and helped Buffalo win the AFL Championships in 1964 and 1965. He is a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, the Buffalo Bills' Wall of Fame, a member of the Bills 25 year anniversary team as well as the 50 year anniversary team. He was known as the 'finest open field tackler in the league.' George always felt very lucky after retiring from playing football that he was able to stay involved in the game he loved. He went on to become a pro football scout-- first with the Blesto V Combine and then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was the Director of College Scouting with the Washington Redskins and helped them win two Super Bowl titles, he then finished his career with the Houston Texans. George loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and friends, traveling with his wife, puttering in the garden, and finding good deals! He especially enjoyed the Bowman family trips to the beach where he wowed his grandchildren and great nieces with his wonderful cannonballs, and expertise at flying kites.
George is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Betsy (Bowman) Saimes; three daughters, Kelley (Matt) Shields of Chicago, Linda Durley of Chicago, and Stephanie (Nathan) Dickerson of St. Paul, Minn.; eight grandchildren, Reilly and Carly Shields, Tommy, Paige, and Cate Durley, Lizzie, Rachel and Maggie Dickerson; and his sister, Clara Sherman of Northfield, Ill. George also loved his nieces, nephew and their wonderful children. George also loved his friends both near and far who traveled this journey with us giving all their love and support every step of the way. Thank you. A special thank you to the compassionate, loving and skilled staff of Aultman 6 South, Morning Star Office and Dr. James Schmotzer. They eased George's journey and ours.
A memorial service in honor of George's unique life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13, at Community Christian Church, 210 N. Main St,. North Canton, Ohio. Private burial will be in West Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may sent to The Women's Board of Aultman Hospital in care of their Cancer Center Pledge. 2600 Sixth St. N.W., Canton, OH 44710 or to the charity of your choice. The Lamiell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
www.lamiellfuneralhome.com
(Lamiell, 330-456-7375)
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Saimes
Stephen Keenan
March 22, 2013
I am truly saddened by Mr. Saimes death. I wish to share a valued memory of this wonderful,kind man.
I was a little boy at a Boston Patriots/Buffalo Bills game many,many years ago at Fenway Park in Boston during the days of the AFL(which I loved).
After the game I was on the field trying to get a chin strap from one of the Patriots(none would give me one). I saw Mr. Saimes walking off the field and asked him for his chin strap. Without hesitation he bent over and let me take it off his helmet. I was so excited. Everytime me and the gang played football at the field near my house, I wore his chin strap. I will never forget him.
Walking off the field he looked like a warrior with all the mud and grass stains on him. But what stayed with me was the intensity in his eyes. He had just played a hard game,yet he looked like he could play another game right then and there.
But I also remember his kindness to me.
He had a big heart;I will pray for him.
Now he is playing for the greatest team with the greatest coach-our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
His passing reminds me of the saying that "when any man dies, I am diminished." That is how I feel about this caring man. His act of thoughtfulness and kindness almost 50 years ago taught me that small acts of kindness go a long way in life.
I will never forget him and his kindness. I am truly diminished with his passing and I will always remember him. God bless Mr. Saimes and his family. Goodby to you my dear friend.
Doug Caughey
March 19, 2013
To the Saimes family, you have my deepest sympathy. George was a home town hero to so many.
Rosealee and Jack Pazzo
March 17, 2013
We have been neighbors for half of our lives and George and his family were the BEST kind of neighbors anybody could have! Our deepest sympathy to Betsy and family in their loss. We will surely miss seeing George out puttering in the yard!
Pat and Kathy Mondock
March 13, 2013
It is a great sorrow to learn of George's passing. He was one of the first NfL scouts I encountered when I started scouting. He was a character and very knowlegeable. He will be missed. Our condolences.
Joe Sirgo
March 13, 2013
To the Saimes Family I offer my sincere condolences and fond memories.
I have memories from Lincoln High School to our conversations at Panera's.
A finer Family man, I never met!
God Bless you all,
Joe Sirgo
March 13, 2013
Jim and Charlotte Owens send sympathy to Betsy and family. We will miss George so much. A great guy and a pleasure to work with.
Howard & Jo Ellen McGuirk
March 13, 2013
Dear Betsy and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of your during this time.
Don Deisch
March 13, 2013
So sorry to hear about George's passing. He was loyal friend and a fine scout. I met George in 1977 when he was with Blesto and ended my scouting career working with him as a Texan. A true friend and had a true concern for the scouts in the NFL. He will be greatly missed.
March 13, 2013
So sorry to hear of your loss.Thoughts and prayers to your family. Carrie Null
Jack Bushofsky
March 13, 2013
Betsy and entire Saimes family, my deepest condolences on the passing of our beloved friend. George was one of a kind and will be missed by all. Jack Bushofsky
joe bushofsky
March 12, 2013
Dear Betsy and family: A true warrior and a great football player as well as a husband and a father has left this earth far to early. What a wonderful human being and a friend who will be missed by all of us who had the priviledge of working with George in the NFL scouting. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you..
John Dickerson
March 12, 2013
Rick Snyder said it best: without question, George Saimes was the best all-around athlete who ever embraced the halls of CLHS. It was indeed a pleasure to have the opportunity play along side him in the back-court on the 1958-59 bk. team that was 20-4. May God bless wife and all family members. Respectfully, John Dickerson, CLHS-1960.
Tim Fox
March 12, 2013
So sorry to hear of George's passing. He was a role model to me growing up and through out my football career. He was instrumental in helping me with the NFL draft, and I'm very sorry I didn't have a chance to thank him personally.
Craig Saimes
March 11, 2013
RIP George may God rest your soul and watch over your family my words can't explain my admiration for you as I was growing up and all of your accomplishments and love for your family and friends.My sympathies to Betsy and the rest of the family.
David Shackle
March 11, 2013
A true NW end Canton,Ohio hero.God bless your soul,Sir.RIP
Marci Figler
March 11, 2013
Betsy, I am so sorry to hear this sad news. Thinking of you and your family at this sad time! Marci Figler
Beth Yake Burton
March 11, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
Daniel Kinch
March 11, 2013
May God bless your family at this time of great loss
Daniel Kinch
March 11, 2013
May God bless your family at this time of great loss.
Gary Bush
March 11, 2013
To all of the Saimes Family our sincere blessings and prayers.
George was the most humble hero amoung all heros, he has made everyone who knew him proud.
Joe and Rita valko
March 11, 2013
Prayers for the family at this time of loss..
Jim Kamp
March 11, 2013
Rest in peace our hometown hero.
March 11, 2013
OUR SINCEREST SYMPATHIES TO THE SAIMES FAMILY.
GEORGIE GAVE YOU SO MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES. THEY WILL LAST YOU A LIFETIME.
DICK AND HELEN (KINCH) FACH
LEESBURG, FL.
Amanda Berkeley
March 11, 2013
My dear "Aunt" Betsy - keeping you and yours in our thoughts and prayers during this time. Much Love, Doug & Amanda.
Doug and Donna Hole
March 11, 2013
Dear Betsy, so sorry to hear of George's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
June Harvey
March 11, 2013
So sad to hear of George's passing my friend, Betsy! My thoughts are with you and your family!!!
Bernie Schwitzgebel
March 11, 2013
Prayers are with the family at this sad time.
March 11, 2013
George fought a brave battle. As always you and your family have our love and are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless George. Becky and Tom
Rick Evans
March 11, 2013
Canton lost a great one with the passing of George. A credit to our school, our town, our state and our nation. Not just an athlete, a man of class and honor and the best Lincoln ever produced. Rest in peace. All his family can be very, very proud of this man.
March 11, 2013
Linda, Stephanie and Kelly....Your Dad was such a gentle soul. I remember many nights playing board games with him....and he certainly loved to cut his yard. He was a cool guy.
Love, Jill Gonyias Zepp
Lisa Garduno
March 11, 2013
Dear Betsie and family, So sad to hear of George's passing. He was a man so full of life and optimism. A real fighter. Just an all around great guy. He will be greatly missed.
Aultman Infusion Therapy Nurses
March 11, 2013
We were all very sorry to hear that George had passed. May Christ bring you comfort & peace in this very hard time.
Bonnie and Bill Rudner
March 11, 2013
To Betsy and Kids,
We were so saddened to hear of George's passing. He was a very sweet and gentle man. May his memory be a blessing to all of you.
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