George Thomas Grieco

George Thomas Grieco died early Wednesday morning, June 30, 2010 at the age of 77. He was born in Chester, PA, March 30, 1933 as the eldest son of Helen C. King and George J. Grieco. He was raised with an older sister, Joan, and two younger siblings, his sister Geraldine, and brother, Donald.

This may be more or less be the information a birth and death certificate may need to record, but it is the life – all 77 years of George’s life – we want to remember.

His sisters and brother called him “Georgie.” They loved him. He was the life of the party. When Georgie was around it was time to get together and have fun...eat, drink, boast, tell stories, and laugh – loudly…always laughing. He loved to tease his siblings, but he poked fun of himself too.

The day he graduated Chester High School at the age of 18, he said to himself: “I’m a man now, and I will make my own decisions.” He went straight to a military recruiting office and signed up for a four-year stint to the United States Air Force to fight in the Korean War. This upset his mother who cried over fear that he would die in war. His father asked: “Why didn’t you discuss it with me first, son?”

Before his deployment to Korea, he decided to propose to and marry his high school sweetheart, Jean Agnes Hayes – “Jeannie.” Jeannie had just graduated from high school, so she was now a woman and he wanted her for his own. His future father-in-law said: “If you marry her, I expect you to take care of her.”

George married Jeannie in St. Michael’s Church, August 21, 1953, honeymooned at the Jersey shore, deployed to Korea to complete his commitment to his country, then returned home to complete his promise to take care of his new bride.

George and Jean were married for 55 years, but they were sweethearts for 62. They knew every nook and cranny of each others personality and soul…the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The first ten years of their marriage brought the joy of six children: Joann, Catherine, Steven, Joseph, Frank, and Wanda. Next came the tough years of raising a large family in the 1960s and 70’s. It seemed that the challenges and triumphs of America were also played out in the family: the equal rights movement, the sexual revolution, the race to the moon, Woodstock, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and the impeachment of Nixon. All these events were fodder for lively, intense, lengthy, and at times heated “discussions.” But most group family gatherings usually returned to laughter – loud, contagious, cheeks hurting, belly laughter.

George’s military training and discipline prepared him for the 30 plus years of work for the conservative computer giant, IBM, “True Blue.” The white shirt and tie day-to-day company culture strengthened George’s need to enjoy life on his own terms. So he took flying lessons. He longed for a pilot’s license and to have his own plane. But those expensive desires were never meant to be, but the flights were still exhilarating.

His love for physical and playful activities was satisfied by being an active participant in IBM’s Athletic Club: baseball league, softball league, football league, basketball league, even water polo! He was a fierce competitor – full of heart – and proud of his efforts win, lose, or draw.

His favorite trophies were not from his own efforts, but from the efforts of his sons and the teams he coached. He and “the boys” were in Little League, Babe Ruth, City Basketball, and Pop Warner football. The Little League, in particular, benefited from his sports passion. He coached “The Wrens” for seven years. George would work 8 hours or more on the “graveyard shift,” return home to sleep while the kids were in school, then wake up to prepare the field for the night’s game…”Let’s hear a little more chatter out there…”

Organized sports and flying weren’t his only passions. He was the first person in the neighborhood to own a motorcycle – a Honda 50. Kids from blocks away would line up outside his house to wait their turn for a ride on Mr. Grieco’s bike. He was generous with his laughter, generous with his time, and generous with his love.

The glory years of the Wrens and “the Canonballs” eventually gave way to the empty nest. But this didn’t stop him from worrying and giving advice. He still had the need to play, and that need was fulfilled in having nine grandchildren: Luke, Adam, Brian, Jessica, Steven, Melanie, Joshua, Jacob, and Matthew. Hey – they could field another Little League Team!

But time marches on and the virility of youth gives way to age…The day George retired from IBM he made another personal decision that would direct the rest of his life. He said: “I don’t have to wear another white shirt, and tie, or shit, shower, and shave unless I want to”…and he rarely wanted to.

George lived his life keeping the big promises to his country and family. He made us laugh; he made us cry; he made us angry, but most of all he made us love.

So…here’s to you Greek… “a bit of a sip!”

Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service-Derita Chapel, Charlotte, NC.