George Robert Giovannetti

George Robert Giovannetti, 95, passed away peacefully in his residence on Friday, June 28 surrounded by his family. He was born May 4, 1929, in Seneca Falls, NY to Peter and Adelma (Galletti) Giovannetti. Upon graduating from Mynderse High School in Seneca Falls, where he was a standout football wide receiver on an undefeated team, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps serving from 1947 to 1950. After his discharge, he returned to Seneca Falls to begin his career.
George worked for Goulds Pumps in Seneca Falls for 16 years before he was promoted to General Manager of the Lubbock, Texas, branch. He successfully ran the Lubbock plant for a decade before taking a job with Pacific Pump in Oakland, California. From his tenure at Pacific Pump, he accepted a job back in Lubbock at Valley Pump where he ran the Lubbock branch for several years before being recruited by Merck to troubleshoot at several of their companies. His work with Merck included stints in Conway, Arkansas, Canton, Ohio and Huntington, West Virginia. He retired from his successful management career in 1991.
He married Elizabeth Mary (Betty) Hughes on April 24, 1954. Together they raised six children, all born in New York. As his career advanced, he moved the family to Lubbock where they found a home at Christ the King Catholic Church. They were continually active in the church throughout their lives together. He never remarried after her untimely death in 1978. Upon his retirement, George returned to Lubbock where he joined and was active at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He volunteered several days a week at Holy Spirit until his declining health limited his mobility.
He was known for his charm and presence; he commanded every room he entered. He would walk into any venue and people believed he belonged because of his demeanor. Throughout his life, George was fascinated by gadgets, radios, cars and computers. He was an avid reader. He loved playing pool, poker and dominoes with his friends in retirement. He loved all sports. He attended every Texas Tech game until he could no longer make the physical effort. Although he loved all sports, his true love was baseball, and he was a devoted fan of Texas Tech Baseball and the Cincinnati Reds.
George was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betty, his parents, Pete and Adelma, his brothers Peter, Carlos and Richard and his sister, Elvira. He is survived by his brother Benito, his daughter Patty (Mike) Yantis, son Pete (Ruth) Giovannetti, daughter Kasey (Todd) Thompson, daughter Susan (Jeff) Butcher, daughter Linda (Alex) Grice and son Robert (Donna) Giovannetti, 13 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
The family will host a visitation at Sanders Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 2 at 6 pm, a Rosary will immediately follow at 7 pm. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Wednesday July 3 at 10 am. A private burial will be held following the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Lubbock Meals on Wheels.