George J. Demetriades, Sr.

Mr. George J. Demetriades, Sr., age 80, of Villas Crossing Road Tamaqua, Pa., died Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at Mercy Hospital Scranton, Pa.

A 1946 St. Ann's High School graduate, George attended Mount St. Mary's of Gaithersburg, MD., after high school.

George served in the United States Navy as a medic during WWII, and returned home to assist in the operation of his family's restaurant, The Star Lunch of Lansford, Pa., which his mother and father founded in the early 1930's, and he and his family operated until 1978.

George, worked for the former Bundy Tubing of Hometown from 1957 to 1973; from 1973 to 1981 he managed the Liquid Fuel Tax Fund District #50 for Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. In 1981, he and his children founded and operated the former Doughnut World of Tamaqua, Pa. until 1982. George then returned to work for the State of Pennsylvania, on the Turnpike as Road Maintenance Supervisor, retiring in 1997.

His entrepreneurial spirit returned when he and his family founded Demetri Imports and Export, brokering Greek Wines and Scottish Whiskies in the Mid 1980's.

Catholic by faith, George was a member of Knights of Columbus Lansford Chapter, having earned the distinction of a 4th Degree Knight. Proud of his Greek heritage, he was a member of the Lehigh Chapter #60, District #4 A.H.E.P.A. of Allentown, Pa., he was an officer of the Slovak Catholic Slokal of Lansford, member of Lansford Amvets and Legion.

A former Mayor of Lansford, he was elected in 1957, taking office in December of 1957 and serving to 1970. While mayor he instituted Youth Week in Lansford, where the youth of the community shadowed public officials in the operation and administration of the community to forge a better understanding of local government, while fostering Civic Pride.

Upon moving to West Penn Twp. he sat on the West Penn Zoning and Hearing Board. He currently serves on The Pennsylvania Council of Aging, appointed by Gov. Ed Rendell. and for many years has been a tireless volunteer and devoted supporter of the Scranton Ronald McDonald House.

Born in Lansford, he was the son of the late James and Amelia (Konency) Demetriades.

He is survived by his

Three Daughters,
Joan L. Demetriades, wife of Malcom Bennett of Lansdale, Pa.
Janet (Demetriades) Mermon of Lansford, Pa.
Jean (Demetriades) Rother, wife of Mark of Tamaqua, Pa.;

Two Sons,
James G. Demetriades and his wife, Jennie
George J. Demetriades, Jr. and his wife, Mary "Mikey" , both of Nesquehoning, Pa.;

Six grandchildren, James, Jenna, Tyler, Casey, Paige, and Pierce;

Former wife, Mrs. Anna Mae Wukitsch, wife of Gallus of Lansford, Pa.

Arrangements are being handled by Holmes - Griffiths Funeral Home, Inc., 200 East Bertsch Street, Lansford, Pa.,

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Monday, March 9, 2009, from SS Peter & Paul R.C.C. 307 Pine Street Tamaqua, Pa. 18252.

A Mass of Chrisitian Burial will be will be at SS Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church at 7 o'clock PM Monday, March 9, 2009, Rev. William Linkchorst officiating.

Private interment with Military honors will be at St. Michael's R.C.C. Cemetery in Summit Hill, Pa.

Memorials in his honor may be made to Scranton Ronald McDonald House, 332 Wheeler Ave. Scranton, Pa. 18510

Online condolences and registry may signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com