George Elias Gonis

Savannah- George Elias Gonis, 79, of Savannah, died on Sunday, May 25, 2014, at his home with his wife by his side.

Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Elias George Gonis and Maria Galanos Gonis.

George graduated from New York University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, and Lehigh University where he earned Masters and Doctorate degrees in Organic Chemistry.

In 1964, he began work at Union Camp Corporation’s Research and Development Division in Princeton, New Jersey, and soon after married his wife, Mary Ann. In the early 1970’s, they moved to Georgia, ultimately settling in Savannah, where he continued to work in Union Camp’s Chemical Division. Upon retiring from Union Camp in 1993, George began GEG Consulting, serving the resin manufacturing industry. He was a 50+ year member of the American Chemical Society and a member of the Society of Sigma Xi.

George served as a First Responder and Volunteer Firefighter for over 20 years with Southside Fire Department’s Skidaway Island Division and in 2001, was honored as firefighter of the year. George also had a special talent for fine woodworking and gourmet cooking.

George was a very active member of St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, where he applied his craftsmanship to many projects for the benefit of the church. For 15 years, he served as Treasurer of the Parish Council. This year George was awarded the St. Paul’s Day award for distinguished service to the faithful of St. Paul’s. He was also a member and Treasurer of the local AHEPA chapter.

George is survived by his wife, Mary Ann (Katogiritis) Gonis; 3 sons, Louis Gonis and his wife Frances of Louisville, Colorado; Kenneth Gonis of Savannah, Ga.; and Nicholas Gonis of Naples, Fla.; a sister, Julia Manos of Athens, Greece; and grandchildren, Marianna Gonis and George Gonis of Louisville, Colorado. He was predeceased by his sister, Lillian Finch of East Bridgewater, Mass.

Visitation will be at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church on Friday, May 30, from 5 to 7 pm with a Trisagion Service at 6:30 pm.

The funeral service will be at the church on Saturday, May 31, at 10 am.

Burial will follow at Greenwich cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church.

Fairhaven Funeral Home, Hubert C. Baker Chapel

Savannah, GA 31406

912-927-1999

www.fairhavenfuneralhome.net