George COSTIDIS Obituary

COSTIDIS, George passed away on Thursday, July 19, 2012 and was born on, May 17, 1950, in New York City, NY. He was of Greek ancestry and a Greek Orthodox Christian. George, was a quiet man who appreciated and loved art, music, playing his pianos and was an amateur artist and composer. He enjoyed collecting clocks. He graduated from Queens College in New York in 1975 with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts. He attended formal education in the Greek language and also the School of Visual Art and Design, in New York. Prior to taking ill many years ago and before moving to Florida, he had been a Service and Sales represented for Time Warner Company. He was a kind, generous, and thoughtful person who loved his family and friends very much and enjoyed doing whatever possible to show his love and kindness. He will be missed very much by his loved ones. George is survived by his father, Nick G. Costidis; sister and brother-in-law, Sultana and Michael Frazis; nephews and niece-in-laws, Nick and Stavroula Frazis, Demetrios and Angela Frazis, John Frazis and fiancé, Margoe Honnegbaum; grand nieces, Evangelia, Sultana and Efstathia Frazis; Godmother, Toby Tsolomytis; uncle, Costas Costidis; two aunts, Dr. Meg Batillas and Maria A. Costidis; many cousins, relatives and friends, both here in Florida, New York and Greece. His wake will be held at the Moss Feaster Funeral Home in Palm Harbor on Wednesday, July 25 from 2-4 and 6-8, with a Trisagion Service at 6:30 pm. The funeral will be on Thursday, July 26 at 12 noon at St. George Greek Orthodox Church on Little Road in New Port Richey with internment at Cycadia Cemetery in Tarpon Springs. www.mossfeasterpalmharbor.com

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Published by Tampa Bay Times on Jul. 25, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for George COSTIDIS

Sponsored by DeElva Mary Harrill, in loving memory with deep admiration.

13 Entries

July 10, 2014

Dear George,
It seems that I am writing once a year. Sorry. The musical is again sitting on the shelf. When John passed, I never really made it through the grieving, and just when I thought I might begin again, Todd , my partner passed on too.

It was the same month, when he got sick that John got sick. And only a few days before Johns one year memorial anniversary, and he passed too.

I have your sweat shirt here. I keep looking at it for that wonderful inspiration that I feel coming through. It makes me smile.

Yesterday I sat down at the piano and began working out the treble notes for the songs. And putting them on the score sheets. I will try to keep at it.

Dear friend, I wish you were still here. I wish I could go for walks and song and laugh. Keep coming to me, my muse, my creative blessing.

Love,
your endearing friend,
DeElva

June 1, 2013

Dear George,
As I re-read my entry from January, I am overwhelmed with grief. Five days after the entry, John became ill and six weeks later he passed on.

These last moths have been unbearable. I do not know how to get back on track. John had been typing the musical and now, there it sits, again, on the sidelines of my life.

George, please. I know that you have been standing quietly, waiting for me to resume my work. I know that my work at the little church is also part of your plan. God's plan.

Know that I have not given up. I will reach out, I promise.

Your Dear Friend,
Love
DeElva Mary Harrill

January 15, 2013

Dear George,
The Day of Epiphany came and miracles came with it. There is a new house I am considering moving to. These last three years have been hard, not moving forward on "The Betty House" goal. Seems like I got stuck in the moment where all stopped. Now, I think there may be a chance to turn it around.

A few blocks from the possible new house is a tiny Greek Orthodox Church. It is in a house. Calling the priest, it was a heart-tugging experience, as I heard in his 72 year old voice that he needed help, not only to get the property sorted out but to lend him the emotional support he needs to build a new congregation from the bottom up. Like you, like me, he is a troubled spirit. I take this as a message from God that he has need of me in this matter. We will see.

If the house comes to fruition, perhaps finances will get better. I still find myself leaning on gambling to see me through hard times. It is a never ending circle of losing then doing everything I can to get money to cover things, then using money I do not have to try and win more toward what I need, then winning and the cycle starts again. At home, I try to not think about wanting to be at the casino or the lodge, or the cafe and the struggle is over powering. It is a good day, when I can just make it into bed without gambling.

And the battle with food also continues. I fail at almost every turn.

Yet, in my heart, I am filled with a strange hope. A hope that tells me that this is just a rough patch. That God has a plan that is going to see me out of this storm, even as the boat rocks me into nausea.

The musical is half typed. Soon, soon it will be done!

Keep with me my friend. And shine on in those wee hours before dawn when I feel you near.

Love
DeElva

DeElva

December 25, 2012

Here is your candle George. For this wonderful MERRY CHRISTMAS and for the coming NEW YEAR. Blessed are the angels of which you are one.

December 25, 2012

Dear George,
MERRY CHRISTMAS my friend, Merry Christmas. Yesterday I awoke with the worst cold. A sadness overcame me a day earlier and today I am nursing the sniffles and shivers. Ugh!!

The day of your memorial was beautiful. The Wheat turned out so nice and the Priest gave a heartfelt blessing for your spirit. In some ways, it matched mine. Though I want so much more for your life beyond this realm. I am working to get the musical out of me and into the world.

I have turned the typing over to John. I can only hope that he will go faster than me. George, do not despair, I know this is important to you. I guess it will come together in God's time rather than my time. We will see.

Today, I feel you and all the others who have crossed over. I feel the pull of the love and the hope that I will indeed get the creative part of my life together.

I wake again. Giving thanks for one more day. And in one more day, there is Hope. And in Hope, I have a second chance.

Keep vigilant, my friend.
Love
DeElva

December 9, 2012

Dear George,
Today the shop was busier than the days of no customers over the last months. I was able to sell a few dolls and a few tea pots this weekend. And while I know I have to keep at it, it did feel better.

I lost focus this past week. I typed only nine pages. It seems that as I get close to being done every distraction I could imagine is creeping in to pull me away from the task at hand. I feel your presence often, even at the casino.

I have shared the joy I feel at your presence with a few of my family. My sister will be going to church with me for your six month memorial. These small gestures of my gratitude hardly seem enough to thank you.

I have decided to send a note to a select few members of your family. Just to tell them that your memorial wheat for church service has been arranged. I wish I had met your dad while you were able to make the introduction.

Perhaps he will be there and we will meet.
Your friend,
Love
DeElva

November 26, 2012

Dear George,
The weather here is cold to the bone for Florida. I wore your grand sweat shirt and marveled at both its warmth and its texture. I wondered if it was a gift to you from a loved one or if it was your choice. It kept the cold out wonderfully.

I find that my mood is deep in thought. I worked on Amalia's Mansion song for hours. The words are labored and the music is awkward. How to sort it out. I got it on the concept of simplifying while making it more universal. And I love what has developed for the Betsy song. Only four songs to finish and then I can begin the typing. And then the work at the piano begins.

You are a good friend George. Even as the walls are too thick to go over, I know you are near.

DeElva

November 14, 2012

Dear George,
Thank you for helping me. The words that are coming now to complete the songs seem to fit so perfectly. In a few days all will be ready for the rewrite. My plan is to have it completed for for your six month service. I wonder at times if I should give a copy of it to your family as a gift. We will see.

On other matters, I find myself grabbing for straws. I can not seem to get back on track health wise. The medicine sits by the table and I look away. George, you struggled so much. If you can help me be stronger at this, I would hear you.

By now I hope you have encountered my dear mother. I lost her in 2009 and I miss her everyday. She is the one person I wish could be here to see this finished work. George, I hear you working out last wishes with those you left behind. Let me know how I can help. Your spirit lives around me everyday. Let the work continue.
Your friend,
DeElva

DeElva Mary Harrill

November 10, 2012

My Dearest George,
Walking through the thrift store the other day, I came across your wonderful boulder creek sweat shirt. I felt you so close, so very alive. I took the shirt home of course with its 6x label and I was reminded of the stature of the man who filled the shirt. In these days of strife, meeting you came at the exact moment.

The musical is found. The words in George's heart are flowing out and I am working hard to bring it all together. This page means much to me for here I can talk to you and perhaps you will open up the answers so that all can be well. Know that I am grateful for your life. Know that while the veil of bodily life has fallen, the gift of life as a communicating being has begun. I hear you. And I am listening with a new heart.

Yours,
DeElva

Jonathan Gold

July 27, 2012

George was a very close friend for more than 20 years. I will miss him very much.

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