George Vasilios Daravingas

George was born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece and attended Aristotle University of Thessaloniki where he received a degree in chemistry. He went on to complete his Ph.D at Oregon State University in Food Science. In his career, he worked for Hunt Wesson Foods (1963-1968) in Fullerton, California and taught in the University of California education system, Glidden-Durkee (1968-1973) in Cleveland, Ohio, and General Mills (1973-2000) in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he ended his career as the Senior Technology Officer. During his professional career, he was responsible for the development of many food products that are still in stores today.

In November of 1968, George married the love of his life, Elaine. They were married for 52 wonderful years and together they raised three children in Minnesota. George was an amazing, accomplished, and beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and uncle who was always willing to give a helping hand or a sage piece of advice to anyone that needed it. His beautiful life will be forever cherished in the lives of those who knew and loved him.

George’s talents/interests were many. When he wasn’t playing tennis, bridge, or watching a Premier League Soccer game, he was an avid opera & classical music aficionado who attended the Naples Philharmonic or Met Opera performances whenever possible. He was an active member of St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Naples, where he was a former president of the Men’s club and volunteered at their annual Greek festival.

He is preceded in death by his parents Vasilios and Penelope (Traganos) Daravingas. He is survived by his wife, Marie Elaine (Pryatel) Daravingas, his son Vasilios and wife Jennifer, his son Philip and wife Wendy, his daughter Penelope (Daravingas) Iannelli and husband Gregory, his grandchildren Katelyn Daravingas, George Daravingas, Dominic Iannelli, Elaina Iannelli, his sister Mary Kyriakidou, his nephew Athanasios Kyriakides and his niece, Penelope Kyriakidou.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 28, 2020, at 11 AM at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church at 7100 Airport Pulling Road in Naples. Visitation will be held prior to the service at 10 AM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Parkinson Association of Southwest Florida, Inc. or St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church to the attention of Agape Charities are suggested.