George Hanges

George Hanges, 87, a resident of Valencia, CA for the past 22 years and previously a resident of New York City, died August 19, 2012 after a prolonged illness. George married Helen (Pavlides) on October 19, 1952. They had two sons, Andrew and Paul.

George was a successful businessman, community leader, and was politically active while a resident of New York. Before retiring in 1990, George and his trusted friend and brother, James, owned a successful Florist shop for over 30 years in Rego Park, New York. George’s and James' started in the floral business as a result of the sudden death of their father, Andrew of Perista, Nafpaktos, Greece when they were both teenagers. Their income supported themselves and their mother Vasiliki (Vitsas) and sister Helen Pappas, of Paramus, New Jersey. George’s mother, sister, and brother predeceased him.

George was proud of his WWII military service in the Seabees. After the war, he was involved in the American Legion and became County Commander for a number of years. George ran for the New York State Senate (10th District) on the Republican Ticket in 1972. The expectation was that a Republican couldn’t win this district and might, at best, receive 1 vote for every 10 cast for a Democratic candidate. Though he lost, he campaigned so intensely that he obtained 1 vote for every 2 cast for his Democratic competitor. This so impressed the Republican Party that they nominated him to run for the New York Assembly (30th District) in 1980.

After moving to Valencia, he worked at Wiley Canyon Elementary School, and also volunteered for many years at Henry Mayo Hospital.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Helen, their sons, Andrew (Georgia) and Paul (Carol). He is also survived by his four grandchildren: Lora Keltner (Casey), Gina Roen (Curtis), Paul Hanges (Kristen); and Catherine Hanges; as well as his four great grandchildren: Drew Roen, Soren Keltner, Gretchen Roen and Liv Keltner; and dozens of nieces and nephews that he loved.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 22, 2012, from 4PM to 8PM at Eternal Valley Memorial Park Mortuary, 23287 N. Sierra Highway, Newhall, CA 91321. Funeral service, Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 10:00 AM at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 9501 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge. Interment with a military honor guard will be in the Eternal Valley Memorial Park Mortuary, Newhall after the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital,23845 McBean Pkwy, Valencia Blvd. CA. 91355.