George Giovanos, 89, of Cranbury, NJ, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center at Plainsboro in Plainsboro, NJ.
Born in Perth Amboy, NJ, George graduated from Perth Amboy High School with the class of 1951. In 1950, during his junior year, he distinguished himself by being named Lineman of the Year and All Star First Team by the Touchdown Club of New Brunswick. George continued to play football through his college years. He first attended the University of South Carolina for two years. His college and football careers were delayed when George was drafted and proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge, George continued his education and football career at the University of Kansas for another 2 years. During all four years of college, he played first string football and upon graduation signed a contract in 1956 with the Baltimore Colts.
No stranger to hard work, George worked for Carter-Wallace Pharmaceuticals in Cranbury as a purchasing agent for 23 years. While employed there he met Sally Applegate, whom he married in 1970. He then went on to work for the State Department of Defense in Lawrenceville, as a budget analyst for 20 years. George was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury for over 50 years.
Back in the day, George enjoyed spending time at Forsgate Country Club, socializing and playing golf. He and Sally loved going to New York for Broadway shows and dinner with friends. He loved being outside taking care of his lawn and garden. An avid sports fan, George was a devoted Yankees and Giants fan. He also enjoyed watching golf and tennis.
George was a family man at heart. He was very involved in his daughters Cathy and Chris’s lives and loved coaching their little league and softball teams.
Predeceased by his parents, Louis and Regina (Czaplinski) Giovanos; his wife, Sally Jane (Applegate) Giovanos; his brothers, Louis and Nick Giovanos; his sister, Areta Hale; and his niece, Jeanne Giovanos; he is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Catherine L. Giovanos, and Christine L. and John Schafer; his grandchildren, Courtney and Carley Krajcsovics, and Brady and Bailey Schafer; his brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Linda Applegate and William H. Applegate, II; his nieces and nephews, Robert and Diane Applegate, Deborah and Cristino Martinez, Sara and Rolston Gaiter, Rebecca Dickson and family, William H. Applegate, III and family, and Randi Gawrorski and family; and his cherished great nieces and nephews, Jason and Carson Applegate, Alyson and Bryan Martinez, Brenton, Emerson, and Harper Gaiter.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 11:30 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury, 22 South Main Street, Cranbury, NJ.
Interment services will follow at Brainerd Cemetery in Cranbury, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in George’s memory to the First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury, 22 South Main Street, Cranbury, NJ 08512.
Arrangements are under the direction of the A.S. Cole Son & Co., 22 North Main Street, Cranbury, NJ.