Gust George

Gust George, 86, of Worcester, passed away on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.  His beloved wife of thirty-nine years, Alice V. (Athanas) George, predeceased him in 2000. 

Gust and Alice met in Chicago in 1959 at an Albanian/American Convention and it was true “love at first sight”, they married a year later. They were inseparable and committed to one another and to their family; to this day, she remained his one and only love.

Gust and Alice had four children who survive him, Lynn Gonzales and her husband Richard, of Shrewsbury, Peter George and his wife Amy of Millbury, John George of Worcester, and Lisa Maniatis and her husband George of Shrewsbury; two sisters, Cleo George and Sophie George, both of Worcester; seven grandchildren, Olivia, Nina, Maria, Stavros, Sophia, Emelia, and Tyler; many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by seven sisters, Elaine Dionis, Jean George, Anna Pillary, Catherine Costa, Alexandria Bardho, Naomi Veshi, and Mary George.  Gust was born in Bradford, PA, son of the late, Peter and Angeline (John) George.  He served his nation proudly in the United States Army Reserves.

Gust and Alice owned and operated Al and Harry’s Restaurant in Worcester for many years, while also working at David Clark Company for forty-four years, retiring in 2001.  He was a member of Saint Mary’s Albanian Assumption Orthodox Church and was very involved in the bi-annual church festival; he was also a founding member and first president of The Sons of Saint Mary’s as well as being founder of its College Scholarship, for which he worked tirelessly to raise money.

Gust loved people and was always offering to help in any way, whether it was a ride, a meal, a helping hand, or fund raising.  His relaxed yet confident personality drew many people to him for conversation or advise.  He enjoyed his regular card games at the Ahepa or visiting and socializing with friends at Joey’s Bar and Garden Fresh Courthouse Café.

Gust and Alice enjoyed traveling, “the wonder of it all”, fine food and dining or simply being together.  He loved sports and was amazing with numbers; he could recite stats of athletes off the top of his head.

Above all else, he was most happy surrounded by family and will be remembered with love and affection.

Calling Hours will be on Friday morning, March 19, from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. in St. Mary’s Albanian Assumption Orthodox Church, 535 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA, with his Funeral Service beginning at 11 a.m.  Interment beside his loving wife will follow at Hope Cemetery, Worcester.

Covid protocols including the use of a face mask and social distancing will be practiced at the church and cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Saint Mary’s Albanian Orthodox Church, 535 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609 and/or The Son’s of Saint Mary’s, 535 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609.