George Sam Gazepis

George Sam Gazepis, 80, departed this life on July 9, 2023. To know George, was to love him. He was a very kind and generous man, and always the life of the party, especially if doo wop music was playing. He will be greatly missed.

George was born in 1943 in Detroit to Sam and Georgia (Bouras) Gazepis, who both immigrated from Greece in their youth. He was raised within a close Greek Orthodox community and continued to cherish his Greek roots and Orthodox faith throughout his life. As a youth, he enjoyed sports and worked a paper route. He would be spotted around town with his younger brother, Gus, who was close in age. One day while spending time with Bob, his neighborhood friend, Bob’s mother told George that she wanted him to take her daughter, Virginia Umpfenbach, to her prom. Being a polite gentleman, George obliged. The matchmaking worked, and George and Virginia married in September of 1969, eventually putting down roots in Grosse Pointe Woods, and spent 54 blessed years together. Ginny and George made quite a dynamic duo, forming long-lasting friendships with countless people as they journeyed through life together.

George was always a numbers guy. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Walsh College. In 1963, at the age of 20, he began a job at Kaufmann Window and Door as a junior accountant. Over time the owner of the company, Marshall Noecker, embraced George as not only a trusted employee, but an honorary member of the family. The company transitioned into today’s International Extrusions with Nicholas Noecker at the helm, and George rarely missed a day at his desk as Chief Financial Officer. This year was George’s 60th year on the job, and he still loved the work. It kept him sharp, and he really shined when entertaining long-time colleagues downtown at Red Wing games and his favorite local establishments.

When George was not at work, he was a dependable family man. He provided a loving and safe childhood to his three children who went on to form households of their own: Corry (Michael) Haddad, Sam (Brook) Gazepis, and Christopher (Jessica) Gazepis. He coached Grosse Pointe Woods little league baseball teams, volunteered regularly at Mason Elementary School, served as a Cub Scout leader (Ham of the Pack award), and chaperoned Assumption Church youth group events such as basketball tournaments. He even drove every Sunday morning to a bakery in Greektown to pick up loaves of bread that the youth group would sell after church as a fundraiser.

Nothing brought more joy to George than being a Pappou. He cherished each of his nine grandchildren as the unique individuals they are and made each one feel very special and loved. Paige (Tyler) Yelencich, Austin Robbins, Nicholas Haddad, Lucas Haddad, Virginia Haddad, Nicolette Gazepis, Troy Gazepis, Alexa Gazepis, and Adelynn Gazepis have all been passengers in Pappou’s 1973 red Corvette cruising around the Grosse Pointe area. Pappou enjoyed Saturday morning breakfasts at the Athenian Restaurant, cheering from hockey arena bleachers, and clapping during band, theater and choir performances. The blessings continued with the arrival of two great-grandchildren, Layla and Blakelyn Yelencich. At his 80th birthday party in February he had every single one of them at the celebration. He said it was the best gift he could ever receive.

George continuously shared his time and talents through the years with his beloved Assumption Greek Orthodox church in St. Clair Shores, serving in many different financial-focused areas. He was a long-time member of the AHEPA fraternal organization (Omega chapter #371) and cherished his relationships with his fellow Greek Americans. He was a supporter of many philanthropic endeavors through the AHEPA and the Hellenic Museum in Detroit. George also served in the US Army Reserve Military Police from 1964 to 1970, which brought him much pride. He enjoyed carrying his military ID in his wallet and sharing it with new people he would meet along the way. He could talk with anyone, effortlessly.

Beyond his above-mentioned family, George is survived by his brother Gus (Pat) Gazepis, and niece and Goddaughter Cathy (John) Brylinski, niece Cindy (Rob) Templeman and their children Steve and Sophia Brylinski, and Emily, Costa, and Bobby Templeman. When it came to Umpfenbach in-laws, George had many more sisters, brothers and cousins, and oodles of nieces and nephews, all who have countless “Uncle George” stories, making him somewhat of a family legend.

George Gazepis, affectionately known as the Gazman, was truly one-of-a-kind. Some would say he was a character or even a hero. But everyone will remember how he made them feel—special and loved.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in George’s memory to his beloved Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 21800 Marter Road, St. Clair Shores, Michigan, 48080.