Passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on February 25, 2010, Mr. George Christopher Spoulos, at the age of 82 years, beloved husband of the late Norma Spoulos, loving father of Wendy and dear proud Papou of Joseph and Jack.
George was born in Banff on November 23, 1927. He was the eldest of three children born to Chris and Helen Spoulos who had recently emigrated to Canada from Greece. The family settled in Lethbridge when George was a baby. George met his wife Norma in school and they were married on May 19, 1956.
A gifted athlete, George played many sports growing up and well into his later life. As a teenager he played baseball, softball, and golf. His incredible speed earned him many track awards and once held the Alberta record for the 440 yard dash. In 1991 he was inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the Blenner Hassett softball team. He played tennis into his 70's. He continued golfing throughout his life and enjoyed being a member at the Lethbridge Country Club. On a recent trip to Phoenix, he was thrilled to watch the talents of his favourite basketball player Steve Nash. He loved watching sports on t.v. He followed the Olympics and on the night before his passing needed to know the score of the hockey game and predicted that if Joannie Rochette skated well in her long program she was sure to take the bronze.
George had a successful 45 year career in the Lethbridge Post Office, first as a letter carrier and then on the wickets. He loved meeting people in his job and many people still remember George as a friendly helpful man.
George personified sociability. He loved family gatherings and getting together with friends. He rarely missed his morning coffee with his buddies at McDonald's, looked forward to his twice weekly crib gatherings, and simply wanted to be where he could run into as many people as possible to "kibbitz".
George was an incredibly supportive father and grandfather. He encouraged and supported Wendy's love of dance and theatre as she was growing up and later, her education and career, and in her role as a mother. His two grandsons brought him much joy and he was fiercely proud of them, unabashedly bragging about them every chance he could.
He came to their school productions and sporting events and delighted in hearing about their antics, often encouraging mischievous behavior.
George loved to travel, especially to warm places in the winter. He and Norma traveled extensively throughout the United States, their most frequent visits being to Florida, Palm Desert, and Hawaii.
Norma's passing in Hawaii in 2002 left a huge void in George's life. He missed her companionship, her delicious cooking, and the way she so lovingly took care of him. Despite struggling with her loss he stayed active right up until last Monday morning.
We will miss his quick wit, his card games, his views on politics and the world's events, and mostly his loving support. Rest in peace dear father, Papou, brother, and friend. We love you so much.
Besides his daughter Wendy and grandsons Joseph and Jack, George is survived by his brother Jim and wife Jan, sister Olympia and husband Gus, sister-in-laws Rusty Spoulos and Amy McRae, brother-in-law Bob Nordby, son-in-law Parry, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, dear friends, and their families.
George was predeceased by an infant son Stephen, his parents Chris and Helen Spoulos, nephew Chris Spoulos, mother and father-in-law Hilda and George McRae, sister-in-laws Marjorie Nordbye and Muriel McRae, and brother-in-laws Jack and Graham McRae.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 7:00pm and 9:00pm, on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at the MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 St., S., Lethbridge, Alberta.
A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00pm, on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at the ST. AUGUSTINE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 411 – 11 St., S., Lethbridge, Alberta, with Reverend James Robinson officiating. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, Box 2211, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 4K7.
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