Pete George Bambalis

Peter “Pete” George Bambalis died on Friday October 9 2010 at 3pm at the Baptist Hospital. Pete was born in Lancaster, PA on April 23 1924 to George and Katina Bambalis. He grew up in Tampa FL until 1936, when the family moved to Winston-Salem to open up the Picadilly Grill. Upon graduating from RJ Reynolds High School in 1943, Pete was drafted into the US Army where he served as a radio operator on C-47 aircraft with the 317th Troop Carrier Group, also known as the “Jungle Skippers.”

The 317th was initially sent to Australia in support of General Douglas MacArthur's Southwest Pacific campaigns against the Japanese. After moving to the Philippines in Nov 1944, the 317th transported supplies to Allied ground forces on Luzon, Leyte, and Mindoro, and supplied guerrillas on Mindanao, Cebu, and Panay. Spearheading a combined airborne-glider offensive in June 1945, the 317th dropped allied paratroopers over northern Luzon in the Philippine Islands for which it received a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC). Pete remained with the Army Air Corps until 1946, serving under the Far East Asia Air Forces in Japan and Korea.

Returning home to Winston-Salem after the war, Pete (using most of his war pay) established Recreation Billiards in 1947 with his father George. “Mr. Pete” (as he was affectionately known) remained at Recreation Billiards until his passing. Pete’s mild manner and warm approach are why so many people, young and old, came to love him.

Pete is survived by two sons, George and Arthur; a daughter in law, Chrisanthy Bambalis; two grandchildren, Sophia and Peter Bambalis; a brother and a sister, John Bambalis of Winston-Salem and Mary Carratt of Ft. Lauderdale FL; several nieces and nephews; and many, many friends who loved him.

Family visitation will take place from 7pm to 8pm, Sunday October 10 2010 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 435 Keating Dr., Winston-Salem NC 27104. The Trisagion Prayer Service, in memory of Pete Bambalis, will begin at 730pm on Sunday October 10 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. The funeral will be held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Monday October 11, 2010 at 2pm, with the internment to follow immediately thereafter. Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be sent either to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 435 Keating Dr. Winston-Salem, NC 27104 or to the Fisher House Foundation for wounded American soldiers at www.fisherhouse.org.(online donations tab)in memory of Pete G. Bambalis.

Online condolences may be made to www.frankvoglerandsons.com