George P Tanase's Obituary
George P Tanase, 93 of St. Petersburg, FL passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones on August 5, 2022. He follows his parents, Petru and Emilia Tanase and siblings Paula, Maria, and Petru. Born April 14, 1929 in the northeast Romanian city of Mileanca, George had quite the dramatic and dangerous escape from the grips of communism in 1951. Before escaping, he attended the Institute Polytechnic in Bucharest but graduated from The University of British Columbia Vancouver in Architecture in 1956 and The University of Alberta in Electrical Engineering in 1960. It is in Canada where he met his wife of 62 years, Viorica (also from Romania). In Canada he was a competition skier and won a couple medals. Although married in Canada, they moved to St. Petersburg in 1960 to be close to Viorica's family. In 1978, George started his own company, Tanase & Associates in Tampa and did not retire until reaching the age of 90. Those who worked with him through all the Hillsborough County School projects and the Raymond James Stadium will say that he will be remembered for doing things well and right, the first time, (. . . no erasers should be allowed), loving his family, and telling it like it is.
Once coming to Florida, he picked up the game of tennis where the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg became like a second home to his family . . . and eventually he was a referee and ran a couple USTA tournaments as well. He was instrumental in supporting the tennis careers of his children and was also known in the tennis community as an advocate to bring higher level professional tournaments to St. Petersburg. He was passionate about doing his job well, supporting his family to follow their dreams, and loved tennis. He leaves behind his wife, Viorica, son George Jr. (wife Sally), daughter Gina, grandchildren Blake (wife Madison), Kevin (wife Kara), Spencer (wife Claire), and Kaley, and great grandchildren Sarah Grace, Timothy, Abigail, and Chloe (as well as one on her way in October), and three nieces and a nephew.
George, known as Poppy to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, will be missed, but his life has brought fulfillment to his family and those who have crossed his path along the way. Rest in peace, Poppy. We love you.
The funeral service will be held at St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church on Tuesday, August 9th, at 10:30 am with visitation one hour prior. Following the service, interment will take place at Royal Palm Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Stefanos Greek Orthodox Church.
To read more about Mr. Tanase, please follow the following weblink:
https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/04/19/my-grandfather-escaped-from-communist-romania-heres-his-story/
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