George John Gillespie "Papou"

George John Gillespie, “Papou”, 91, of McLean/Virginia Beach, VA, passed away October 21 in Norfolk, VA peacefully in his sleep. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 29 at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA. Viewing at 10:30 am, funeral at 11:30. Burial to follow at 2 pm Quantico Virginia National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Road, Triangle, VA.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Kokones, daughters Elene Paul (Gary), MaryJo McGehee, Corinne Gabriel (Chris), granddaughters Heather Garza (Justin), Ginger McGehee, Alexandra Gabriel and Stephanie Gabriel, and the lights of his life, great granddaughter Rilah and great grandson James George, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was born in Washington, DC to John and Cleopatra (Gerachis) Gillespie on December 26, 1926. He had two older sisters, Zoe Kokenakes and Elizabeth Nisos (deceased) and a younger brother Constantine (Gus) Gillespie (deceased).

He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, DC.

George enlisted as a Marine in World War II in 1945, and served in Tanggu, China, where he was in charge of the Marine post office. He never ate much Chinese food while there, but at home, developed a love for it at the Peking Restaurant around the corner from the record store.

He went to college on the GI bill and graduated from The George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in May 1952. He worked at the US Department of Commerce, US Coast & Geographic Survey Department as a Cartographic Aid.

George had a strong love of family and was an honest and forthright man. He loved people and was a second dad to many of his daughters’ and granddaughters’ friends.

He founded several record stores in Washington, DC — Record Sales, a full-service record store and later the Soul Shack, specializing in Motown, soul, jazz and gospel music, which also expanded to several locations in the South. He also developed radio stations WTRI in Brunswick, MD and WEER in Warrenton, VA.

He was a very active steward of Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Washington DC, serving on the Parish Council, editor of The Epistle (the Church newsletter), choir member, and he and Mary worked tirelessly at the annual Greek Festivals.

He was also a member of the American Legion Post 38.

George was very musically inclined, and later in life played violin with a string quartet and worked at the National Gallery of Art Symphony Orchestra with his boyhood friend, George Manos, arranging music and coordinating concerts both at the Gallery and abroad. He instilled a love of music in his children.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church; Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Washington DC, 701 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905; or the National Gallery of Art Music Department Development Office, 2000B South Club Drive, Landover, MD 20785.