GEORGE KARIOTIS Obituary

KARIOTIS, George Stephen 90, of Eastham, Massachusetts and Marco Island, Florida and formerly of Wayland, Massachusetts, passed away quite unexpectedly in his sleep at home in Eastham on Sunday, July 7, 2013. George was born in Boston on February 22, 1923 to parents Stavros Kariotis and Athanasia (Valkanas) Kariotis. George was the first born in his family of four siblings. He is predeceased by his wonderful youngest brother Andrew and his precious sisters Angie Whittemore and Helen Graham. George was an exemplary student when he attended schools in Falmouth Massachusetts, skipping two grades and graduating with Honors from Lawrence High School in Falmouth in 1940. He attended Northeastern University in Boston on scholarship from 1940 until July of 1943 when he joined the United States Navy V-12 unit at Tufts College where he remained until 1944. Northeastern University conferred his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering upon him in July of 1944. George served in World War II, shipping out to Japan on VJ Day, and was appointed Ensign in December 1944. He was Honorably Discharged from the Navy in January 1954. George fell in love with and then married his sweetheart, Ellen (Arvanites) Kariotis on April 15, 1945. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary this past April. On February 3rd 1947, they had their first child Kathryn Ellen and 14 years later on May 21, 1961, they rejoiced at the birth of their son Stephen Allen. George began his career as an electrical engineer. After one year he decided that he wanted to go into Management. He then went to work for Sprague Electric in North Adams, Massachusetts in the Sales Division. Climbing the corporate ladder, he took the family to Los Angeles California for 5 years with Sprague Electric and then back to Massachusetts when he began working for Microwave Associates and the family then settled in Wayland. In 1960, George and a handful of colleagues started a small semi-conductor company called Alpha Microwave which evolved into Alpha Industries, a wonderfully successful corporation which employed 100's and funded many educations, homes for his family, children and grandchildren as well as other business ventures. His love of politics led him to run for Governor of Massachusetts against Michael Dukakis in the infamous 'Battle of the Greeks' and he also served under Governor Ed King as Secretary of Economic Affairs. He was honored to meet several Presidents and Vice Presidents in his lifetime. He believed it to be a true honor to serve his country and to 'give back'. When asked if there was anything he would have rather done than have a chance at the Governorship, he said his first choice would have been to play left field for the Boston Red Sox. George served on many boards and most notably was a Trustee Emeritus at Northeastern University where as one part of his legacy there is a George and Ellen Kariotis Hall. He also was a board member at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts. George had many hobbies and interests. He obtained a private pilot's license, had many boats- all named after Alpha, enjoyed gardening, traveling, hunting, fishing and golf. He is rumored to have one of the most prolific collection of irises on the lower Cape. He leaves behind his wife Ellen of Eastham, MA; his daughter Kathryn and son-in-law Michael Harmon of Dayton, Nevada; his son Stephen of Eastham, MA; his three grandchildren from Kathryn: Keara Reilly of Savannah, GA; Jennelle Yopchick of East Walpole, MA and Zachary Yopchick of Allston, MA and his two granddaughters from Stephen: Chloe and Sophia Kariotis of Eastham, MA. In addition, George leaves behind a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as a multitude of friends. He was loved and cherished by more people than we could possibly name. There will be a Memorial Service on Wednesday, July 24th at 2pm at the Four Points Sheraton, 3800 State Highway (Rt. 6), Eastham, Massachusetts. Following the service, there will be a reception at Steve's home at 721 Samoset Road, Eastham. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to Northeastern University, (College of Engineering, COE Dean's Fund, or Kariotis Scholarship) c/o Maelyn Patten, Office of Advancement, 360 Huntington Avenue - 402CP, Boston, Ma 02115; or the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge 77 4th Avenue, Needham, MA 02494. George's fervent request was that everyone wear bright colors to his Memorial Service (no black please) and that everyone dress casually (no suits and ties please). As George would say: It's the Cape!