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BORN
1926
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
George Trakas Obituary
George was born in New London on July 13, 1926, the son of the late Theodore and Victoria (Stefanski) Trakas. The family moved to Niantic in 1927, and in 1931 started the Trakas Sunoco Gas Station on Pennsylvania Ave.
George was a graduate of Bulkeley High, class of 1944. He loved baseball, playing third base in high school. He was spotted by a baseball scout and asked to try out for the former NY Giants baseball team. Instead of following his passion, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1944.
In 1954, George joined his Dad in the family business and enjoyed serving the local community. He always loved visiting with and serving his customers at the gas station. If you pulled into the station as a visitor, you always left as a friend with a tank of gas and a smile. In 1990, his nephew, Dan Trakas, joined the family business and together they built the Trakas Sunoco Convenience Store.
George was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and loved talking baseball with his grandson, Jared Trakas. He also loved nature and enjoyed watching his quarter horses run through his fields. After retirement, George and Alice enjoyed traveling, highlighted by their trip to the Holy Land.
In addition to his wife, Alice (Turello) Trakas, and nephew, Dan Trakas, George is survived by his son, John (Susan) Trakas of Groton; five step-children, Linda (Bill) Chilcoat of Conroe, Texas, Pam (Jerry) Schmid of Liverpool, N.Y., David (Cheryl) Byrne of Morton, Ill., Robert (Marge) Byrne of East Lyme, and Kevin (Debbie) Byrne of Colchester; 15 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by three brothers, Nicholas Trakas, James Trakas and Leo Trakas, all of Niantic.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Thomas L Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at St. Agnes Church in Niantic, followed by burial at the East Lyme Cemetery.
The family would like to acknowledge Dawn and Tina from Hospice for their amazing care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be directed to Center for Hospice Care, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360 or the New London Community Meal Center, PO Box 945, New London, CT 06320.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.neilanfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Trakas
Sponsored by Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home.
January 15, 2018
My family lived on Lakeview Heights just around the corner from the old Sunoco station in the late 50s early 60s. I remember many times pulling in with my parents and George or Theodore hanging in the window and shooting the breeze with us. Remember full service stations? Their kind spirits has stuck with me all my life. RIP.
shawn Asselin
November 9, 2017
To the family,
I am sorry to hear about our loss but he accomplished a lot and had a great family life. I remember all the family holiday picnics and get togethers. I always enjoyed attending these events and had many laughs over the years. Carry on the tradition and hope to see everyone again soon.
Shawn Asselin
November 8, 2017
Please accept our sincere condolences on the recent demise of George..We trust that God will offer him a safe Haven into his kingdom and that this same God will sustain the entire Trakas family during this most stressful time.
Cordially
Jim&Madeline Barone
Jerilyn Duefrene
November 8, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of the Mr. Trakas. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Trakas family...
November 7, 2017
To Dan and the Trakas family,
So sorry for you loss, George was a great gentleman. He always had time to talk with you especially in his truck. We will all miss him.
Karen & Richard Green, Sr.
craig baker
November 7, 2017
To Dan and the Trakas family,my heart is breaking and crying for I have lost a dear friend in George.May you rest in peace my friend.
Steve Baker
November 6, 2017
Trakas Family, Sorry for your loss. I have known George since I was a kid growing up. He and his dad were always ready to talk when you stopped for gas at the little white concrete station.
Nicole Asselin
November 6, 2017
So sorry to hear about the loss of Uncle George! Our thoughts and prayers are with the family!
Eric and Peg Dickinson
November 6, 2017
Our sympathies to all the Trakas', George is a happy memory from our youth. We think of your family every time we come back to Niantic and pass the gas station. He lived a great life.
Kathleen O'Reilly-Wild
November 6, 2017
Dan and family,
The Wilds want you to know we are thinking of you all and hoping your happy memories with George will comfort you in your time of mourning. Liam, Bill, Delaney, Bella and I send our prayers. God bless! Kathleen Mrs. Bill Wild
November 6, 2017
MY NAME IS BARBARA TARR AND I WAS VERY BLESSED TO KNOW GEORGE AND HIS MOM AND DAD-THEY WERE ALL VERY HARD WORKING PEOPLE AND THEY ALWAYS HAD A WAY TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY-I KNEW FROM DAY ONE WHEN I MET GEORGE THAT IF YOU WAS GOING TO GO GET GAS AT SUNOCO THAT YOU BETTER GO DO ALL YOUR ERRANDS FIRST CAUSE YOU KNEW THAT YOU WOULD BE LISTENING TO HIS STORIES AND JOKES AND HE ALWAYS ASKED HOW THE FAMILY WAS AND BEFORE YOU KNEW IT AN HOUR LATER!MY FAMILY AND I ARE GOING TO MISS YOU MY FRIEND-HEAVEN IS GONNA OPEN ITS DOOR WIDE OPEN WITH A BIG SMILE!
Barbara Birmingham
November 6, 2017
Loved George. One of the great "old-timers" in town. We talked horses a lot (we also had quarter horses). If you needed reading material, he had a virtual library of paperbacks going in the old place. My family started going there when George's parents ran it. Condolences to the family, he will be missed,
Sharon
November 6, 2017
So very sorry for your loss. George was one of a kind,he had a heart of "PLATINUM" much richer than gold by far.He will be missed by all,who were lucky enough to have known him.I will never for get the good old days.At N.S.S I miss that big old clock in the window.I used it every Fri & Sat night. Back in high school in the 1970 's had to be home by 11 pm. It saved me more then once. I once said to Dan lets get it fixed.We all have time here,but when it is our time.It is when he needs the help of one more angel at home. R.I.P My friend.
John & Allison Hislop
November 6, 2017
To George's family,
John and I were saddened to hear of George's passing. He was such a kind man. He will be missed.
Paul Whitehouse
November 6, 2017
Dan and family, so sorry for your loss. George was a wonderful human being, a class act and true gentleman. Like everybody else, I loved stopping to chat with him, I miss his wit and wisdom.
Ruth Engel
November 6, 2017
Dear Alice & family,
We send deepest condolences to all of you. George was a wonderful and kind man & brought so much to everyone.
Ruthie & Dr, Mel Engel
Skip Saunders
November 6, 2017
Four generations of the Saunders family knew and enjoyed George. Needless to say, he will be missed.
November 6, 2017
Alice and family, so sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed George's company at our family picnics. Never knew he played 3rd base for Buckley Tigers!
Tony & Midge Pescatello.
David & Tacy Gonzalez
November 6, 2017
John,
Our sincere condolences to you, Susan and the rest of your family.
Evan Andriopoulos
November 6, 2017
RIP Mr.Trakas! Say hello to my dad up there!
Chappy Chapman
November 6, 2017
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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Nov
7
Visitation
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home48 Grand Street, Niantic, CT 06357
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