George A. Plastiras

George A. Plastiras, 90, of Manchester passed away on July 26, 2013 after a period of failing health. He was born on August 19, 1922 in Manchester the son of Andrew and Paraskeve (Kouklaris) Plastiras. When George was a boy, his family moved to Asbury Park, NJ but returned to Manchester in 1934. He was educated in the Queen City School System and was a graduate of Manchester Central High School Class of 1941.

He enlisted in the US Army in 1941 and was a light machine gun section leader. He was stationed in Hawaii and spent eight months in Japan on occupational duty. He attained the rank of staff sergeant and was awarded the expert infantry badge. Following his discharge in 1946, he was employed at Pandora Industries where he held various positions. He retired in 1985 as a knitting foreman.

George was a member of the American Legion Post 79. He was also a member of the NOA club and the AHEPA of St. George Cathedral. In 1982 he was named District Governor of the AHEPA in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. As District Governor, he was asked to take on a district project, the Pericles Award, in 1983. It remains one of the social events of the year. He also founded a scholarship in memory of his late wife Effie.

He had many hobbies including playing pool and shuffleboard which he learned during his winters in Florida. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Derryfield Country Club. He also enjoyed working with stained glass. He started with small window projects and progressed to table lamps, chandeliers and framed pictures. He enjoyed sports and was a longtime Yankees fan.

He was predeceased by his first wife Effie (Danelules) Plastiras in 1981, his brother James Plastiras and his sisters Joyce Kastrinos and Helen Papagikos.

Members of his family include his wife of 23 years Alice (Noyes) Plastiras of Manchester, his son Andrew Plastiras of Weare and his daughter Nancy Rousseau and her husband Felix of Goffstown, his two grandsons Brian Rousseau of Mechanicsburg, PA and Kevin Rousseau of Quincy, MA, his four stepchildren Debra Szarek of Candia, Johanna Papantones of Manchester, Jonathan Szarek of Pelham and Christopher Szarek of Manchester as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation was held on Sunday July 28 from 2 to 5Pm at the McHugh Funeral Home 283 Hanover St. corner of Beech St. in Manchester. A funeral service was celebrated on Monday at 11AM in St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Burial followed in Pine Grove Cemetery. The Trisagion Service was celebrated by Rev. Andrew Mahalares on Sunday at 4PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donation be made in George’s name to the American Cancer Society 2 Commerce Dr. Suite 110 Bedford, NH 03110 or to St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral 650 Hanover St. Manchester, NH 03104.