George Andrew Pappas

East Lyme - George Andrew Pappas, 80, of Niantic, died peacefully on Friday, Dec. 1, 2006, at Middlesex Hospital.

Mr. Pappas was born in New Haven on March 31, 1926, son of the late Andrew Constantine Pappas and Martha (Yatsook) Pappas.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Mary Jean DiAngeli Valchar, and his brother, Constantine "Gus" Andrew Pappas.

His is survived by three sons, Andrew, James, and George of Niantic; their mother, Olga Pappas; his sister, Pauline Pappas Millaras of Waterford, and her children, Martha and her husband, Admiral Joel Whitehead, of New Orleans, and Thomas Millaras and his wife, Mary Alisson, of Quaker Hill; a nephew, Andrew and Cindy Pappas of Niantic, and a niece, Ellie and her husband, Robert Prairie, of Vernon, along with other numerous nieces and nephews; and six grandchildren, First Leutenant Giancarlo DiAngeli, presently serving in Iraq, and Michael DiAngeli of Niantic, Andrew and Leanne Pappas of Niantic, and Alexa and Katrina Pappas of Wethersfield.

In the best of times, Mr. Pappas enjoyed taking his family to his sister, Pauline's, house with her family for the "Sunday football" season, and summers hosting weekend picnics for his relatives, the Dimons' from New York, and the Panagakos' from New Jersey, and their families. Mr. Pappas also enjoyed flying his Piper Cherokee to various destinations throughout New England.

In the 1950s and 60s, he was one of the earlier residential developers in East Lyme, later opening the Main Street Laundromat.

George was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy on the Destroyer USS Carmick, which was part of an escorting party for President Roosevelt heading toward the Yalta Conference.

In keeping with his wishes, private funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Byles Funeral Home in New London.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Hospice and Palliative Care, c/o Dr. Peter Dixon, Middlesex Hospital, 28 Crescent St., Middletown CT 06457.