George C. Grimbilas

U.S. Navy veteran, Little League coachPUNTA GORDA, FL - George C. Grimbilas, 80, of Punta Gorda, FL. passed away after a brief and sudden illness on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte. He was born March 10, 1931 son of Chris Grimbilas and Della Coroneos of Portsmouth, NH and retired to Punta Gorda in 2001 with his wife Mary Venetsanakos-Grimbilas from Lynn, MA. He was an altar boy for Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Portsmouth, NH. George attended Portsmouth High School and graduated in 1949, nicknamed "Bugaboo". He played basketball and was a pitcher for the high school baseball team.He played for the Yankees farm team Columbus and he attended Bunker Hill Community College.He entered the military, Department of the Navy, December 1951 and received an honorable discharge in December 1959. He served on the USS Lake Champlain CV-39, during the Korean War and also served on the USS Bennington. He worked for Lynn Screw Company; Archway Cookies; General Electric; Sterling Machine and Spartan Precision Machine.George loved children. He devoted his spare time and was involved as a Coach, Manager, Treasurer and President of the Lynn Shore Little League Baseball. He was also involved in raising funds for the children Lynn Shore Little League Baseball and the Babe Ruth League.He was a proud fan of all Boston/New England teams.He was a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Punta Gorda, FL and he was also a member of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Lynn, MA. He was a member of the Master Wardens and Members of the Grand Lodge of Masons Massachusetts, Golden Fleece Lodge of Lynn, MA.He was also a member of the Greek Order of Ahepa.He married Mary Venetsanakos February 26, 1956 and had five children, Peter Grimbilas & his girlfriend Tina, Debbie Grimbilas-Cadigan & husband Gary, Nick Grimbilas & girlfriend Lisa, Kelly Grimbilas-Pustorino & husband Fred and Chris Grimbilas. He also had nine grandchildren: Maria Cadigan, Nicole & Steve Lombard, PFC Gary Cadigan II, Danielle Grimbilas, Brittany Grimbilas, Mark Pustorino & Jen, Paul Pustorino, Pete Grimbilas Jr. and Amanda Pustorino. He also had 2 Great granddaughters: Nicole Pustorino and Gabriella Lombard.He has one surviving sister, Star Johnson, wife of the late Judge Thomas Johnson, sisters-in-law Helen and Ann Grimbilas, Zoe & Manual Mihalaros, the late Penny & John Gikas, Georgia & John Yannios, Joanne & Leo Diantgikis, Peter & Pota Venetsanakos, James & Delores Venestanakos, Ernie & Katina Venetsanakos and Catherine & the late Richard Anthony as well as several loving nieces, nephews and cousins. His deceased siblings Dee & Gregory Vatistas, Peter Grimbilas, Nicholas Grimbilas, Nici & Plato Houliares.Service Information: His Funeral will be held on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. from the Solimine Landergan Funeral Home 426 Broadway (RTE129), Lynn, followed by a Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m. in St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Lynn. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hour's Wednesday 4-8 p.m. Directions and guest book at www.solimine.com.