George Frank Skafidas, 94, a long-time Rock Island resident, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23, 2015 at St. Anthony's Continuing Care Center, Rock Island.

Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Friday at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Rock Island. Burial is at the Rock Island National Cemetery, where military honors will be presented by Moline American Legion Post 246. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island, where a Masonic Service will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. and a Trisagion Service at 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

George F. Skafidas was born June 24, 1920 in East Moline, a son of Frank Sam and Alexandra Mihail Skafidas. He married Effie T. Chioles on Jan. 25, 1948 in Joliet, Ill. They celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.

George graduated from United Township High School in East Moline and attended Augustana College. He received a degree in accounting from Brown's Business College. George served as the manager of the Best Ever Cafe in Rock Island from 1946 to 1962, then becoming the owner until 1990. While Effie ran the business, he was an auditor for the Comptroller of the State of Illinois, retiring after 21 years of service.

He was a WW II U.S. Army veteran, serving as a Staff Sgt. at the Gunnery School of the 82nd Airborne Division. George was a life-long member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, serving in various capacities on the church council. He was active in Democratic politics, serving as a member of the Rock Island County Board in the 60's,70's, 80's and 90's. George was also a member of the Rock Island Park Board from 1961 - 1991, acting as its chairman for 27 years. George was honored by the City for his leadership and service with the dedication of a park in his honor and naming of George Skafidas Parkway at Sunset Park. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, a 32nd Degree Mason since 1941 and member of Trio Lodge 57 A.F. & A.M. He was a past president of the Sons of Pericles; member of Tri City Chapter 120 AHEPA, Chamber of Commerce, Community Chest, and SOMA Golf Club.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Effie; children, Frank (Frances) Skafidas, Rock Island, Dr. Thomas (Sylvia) Skafidas, Stone Mountain, Ga., Lori Skafidas Boland (Keith Boland), Carmel, Ind., and Michael Skafidas (Vicki Trimble), Rock Island; grandchildren, Stephanie Skafidas, Rebecca Skafidas, and Mary Skafidas, all of Rock Island, Christopher Skafidas, Chicago, and Trevor Boland, Carmel, Ind. He was preceded in death by a son, David Skafidas; his parents; a brother, Sam; and sisters, Elizabeth and Ann.

Online condolences may be left at wheelanpressly.com.