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Ignation George 1931-2022

NILES — Ignation “Diggers” George, 90, died peacefully at 3 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2022, at University Hospital Cleveland, of pneumonia.

He was born in Niles, on Sept. 17, 1931, the son of Stiles and Mary Kitsos George. He was a member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Warren.

He was a 1949 graduate of Niles McKinley High School. After graduation, he worked at General Electric – Niles Glass for more than 44 years as a maintenance man. In 1952, he was drafted by the Army and served in the Korean Conflict. Diggers saw action on the front line in Korea.

He married Sandra Sikora of Youngstown, on May 21, 1967, in Warren. They were married for 25 years before Sandra’s untimely death Dec. 14, 1992, from cancer. Together they raised their son, Ricky.

Diggers spent his entire life in Niles. His mother and father came to America from Cyprus, so as a young boy, he learned that family and culture were very important. Along with his two brothers and sister, he also learned about sports. He often would tell stories of how he and his brothers would play baseball or football with their neighborhood friends. Sports was a big part of his life. He would tell his son about the great Joe DiMaggio and Phil Rizzuto of the New York Yankees. He also told stories of how his papou from Cyprus would visit the family and how they would go to the various Greek stores on Pine Street in Warren.

Before getting married, Diggers liked to go out for a “shot-and-a-beer” or a highball. When fall arrived, Saturday night was set for Niles Red Dragon Football during their heydays. He was an active member of the Niles Frontliners.

Diggers liked to watch sports, garden, take care of his dog, read the newspaper and gamble a few dollars on sporting events. He loved the Michigan Wolverines and New York Yankees. He liked to always keep busy and was never afraid to work.

Into his mid-80s, the neighbors would often catch him on the roof of the house cleaning the gutters. Ultimately, they would tell his son and the two would end up arguing about him being safe.

But most of all, he served as a role model and inspiration to his son, Ricky. He instilled the Greek Orthodox faith into Ricky as he was growing up. They attended St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church as a family.

After his wife Sandra’s death, Diggers never had an interest in dating other women, as Sandra was the love of his life. He and Ricky became closer.

Diggers and Ricky attended various sporting events. They attended three of four Michigan football games in Ann Arbor, Mich., each year and always tried to catch the Yankees when they came to Cleveland. Diggers was most happy sitting in his La-Z-Boy watching a sporting event with his son.

In 2018, he suffered a stroke, which the doctors stated he would not recover from. He fooled them all as he led a good life in his last years. The stroke made the father and son bond even stronger, as his son took care of him.

Diggers was a simple man who had a good heart. He taught his son to “be honest” and “do your best when doing a job.” Diggers was “old school” and often said he had old European country values, which also included talking very loud. During his last days, he told his son “don’t cry for me,” but ultimately his son will cry a lot for him because he lost not only a father, but his best friend ever.

Diggers was preceded in death by his parents, Stiles and Mary George; and his wife, Sandra Sikora George.

He leaves a son, Ricky, with whom he lived; two brothers, George (Shirley deceased) George of Youngstown and Charlie (Genny) George of Indianapolis; and one sister, Helen (Tom deceased) Michalos of Warren. He leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, whom he all loved. He also leaves great neighbors, such as Susan Pack, the Profatos and the Fritzs, whom he had known for many decades. He also leaves his beloved dog, Jeter.

Family and friends may pay their respects to Diggers from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, followed by an 11 a.m. service at the church, with the Rev. Constantine Valantasis officiating. Burial will be in Niles City Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the caretakers who helped care for Diggers over the last four years, Jill Brewer, Sabrina Gardner and Melinda Chapin. The family would also like to thank all the doctors and nurses at Trumbull Regional Medical Center who helped take care of him over the years. And a special thank you to Patriot Home Healthcare, especially his physical therapists, Aaron and Matt, and nurse, Kelly.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all contributions be made to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church 429 High St., Warren, OH 44481.

Arrangements by Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home in Niles. Visit holetonyuhasz.com to view this tribute and share condolences with the family.

MEMORY ETERNAL

(special notice)