George H. Lambros, age 85, beloved husband of Mary (Carayanis) Lambros, died peacefully at home in Oneonta on Sunday, August 1, 2010 surrounded by his family.

A lifelong resident of Oneonta, George was born in Fox Hospital on December 3, 1924 to the late Harry G. and Mary N. (Zaharis) Lambros. He attended Bugbee Elementary School and graduated from Oneonta High School in 1942. An outstanding athlete, George lettered in four sports (football, basketball, baseball, and track). He attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend Indiana for one year and played on the Freshman basketball team. He left college to enlist in the army and proudly served in the 56th Armored Infantry, 12th Armored Division. George saw combat in Belgium and Germany at the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge. He was twice wounded in action in December, 1944, and received the Purple Heart. At the end of the war he attended the American Army College in Biarritz, France for 3 months. He was honorably discharged on April 16, 1946.

Upon returning to Oneonta George joined his father in business at the Diana Restaurant, which Harry had opened on Main Street in 1921. George married Mary Carayanis of Halandri, Greece, on January 16, 1949 in St. James Church. He was a successful businessman for over forty years, with his wife at his side, providing a popular place for locals to eat and socialize. In June 1991, George and Mary retired and enjoyed many years of annual trips to Greece and Florida.

George was proud of his Greek heritage. He worked hard all his life, but also knew how to enjoy life. He was an avid reader, golfer, card player and sports fan and was a lifelong member of the Oneonta Country Club and the Elks Club where he was a fixture for over sixty years in the card room among his many lifelong friends. Everyone who knew George has a favorite story to tell. George dearly loved his grandchildren and took great pride in their many accomplishments.

In addition to his wife Mary, survivors include, four loving daughters, JoAnn Pavlostathis (Spyros) of Atlanta, GA, Kathy Curran (Ty) of Fairfield, CT, Georgia Lambros, of Arlington, MA, and Donna Foti (Vince) of Oneonta; seven grandchildren, Alexandra and Georgia Pavlostathis, John, Tom and Christopher Curran, Joanna and George Foti; brother, Nick Lambros and his wife, Sharon, sister, Helen Stam, brother's-in-law, George Carayanis, Nick Carayanis and his wife, Marie, and Peter Schran, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his beloved son, Harry, sister, Angie Bertuzzi, brothers-in-law, Sam Stam, Sam Bertuzzi and sister-in-law, Katina Schran.

Funeral arrangements are by the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz Street, Oneonta. Friends and family may call at the funeral home from 5 to 8 pm on Tuesday, August 3.

A Greek Orthodox Funeral Service will be held at St. Mary's Church on 39 Walnut Street, officiated by George's nephew, the Most Reverend Seraphim Poulos of The Greek Orthodox Church in Orange, NJ on Wednesday, August 4 at 10:30 am.

Interment with military honors will follow at the Oneonta Plains Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care Center, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta or the OHS Dollars for Scholars Program, in memory of George H. Lambros and can be mailed to Oneonta Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 1083, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Online condolences may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com.