George Pappas
George Pappas, 91, of Timonium, passed away peacefully, Sunday, January 13, 2019. He was the beloved husband of Mary Pappas. They had been happily married for 65 years.
Born on April 2, 1927, in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Peter Papas and Margetta Mavris, both Greek immigrants from Rhodes, Greece. He and his brother, John (predeceased), were raised in Weirton, West Virginia by their mother and stepfather, John Spiros, following their father's passing in 1928.
Following high school graduation and start of college, George was drafted into the U.S. Army and served overseas in Europe during World War II. After completing his military service, George continued his education with the GI Bill at West Virginia University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.
In 1952, a job ad led George to embark on an exciting, fulfilling and successful engineering and management career with the Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco) in Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands.
On his first vacation in 1953, George met and married the love of his life, Mary, in Rhodes, Greece. George and Mary enjoyed many happy years of employment, travel, friendships and raising their three children (John, Margaret and Irene) as overseas expats. He retired in 1986 from his position leading Aramco's power generation and electric transmission engineering, design and construction organization. George was highly regarded and respected by all who worked with him.
George and Mary took up retirement in Timonium, MD to be near George's mother and other family members. In 1994, George and Mary moved to Dunwoody, GA, returning recently to Timonium. During most of their retirement, George and Mary were active in the Greek Orthodox Church in both Atlanta and Baltimore, volunteering in many Greek festivals. They also enjoyed traveling, visiting family and friends, and playing bridge.
Throughout George's accomplished life, he remained committed to the well being of his immediate and extended family, treating all with kindness and generosity. Growing up during the Great Depression instilled a deep sense of empathy toward others, which he never lost. Now we will enjoy his beautiful memories and legacy which will always be with us.
He is survived by his wife Mary, his son John Pappas and his wife, Kristina, and two daughters, Margaret and her husband Peter Sirois, and Irene Pappas and her husband Trevor Dean, four grandchildren, Louis Pappas, Alexi Pappas (Jeremy Teicher), George Sirois and Adrienne Sirois. He is also survived by his niece Helen Haley and his nephew Nick Pappas.
Friends and family are invited to a viewing at the Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 York Road, Towson, MD 21204, on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. A Trisagion service will be held on Friday at 3:00 PM. Mr. Pappas will Lie-In-State at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2504 Cub Hill Road, Baltimore, MD 21234, on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM the funeral hour. Interment in the Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Cemetery.