DERRY — Rep. George Katsakiores was remembered this week as someone who valued public service and treasured his community.
The long-time Republican state representative died Monday at the VA Medical Center in Manchester. He was 85.
Friends and colleagues remembered Katsakiores, his love of government and his commitment to Derry.
"George and Phyllis are examples of New Hampshire citizens contributing to public service," said Sen. Robert Letourneau, R-Derry. "George is a dear friend and I will miss him immensely."
Phyllis Katsakiores has served in the New Hampshire Legislature for more than two decades, nearly as long as her husband.
Katsakiores was born and raised in Derry. He graduated as valedictorian of the Pinkerton Academy Class of 1942. After high school, he spent one year in seminary school and then joined the Army Medical Corps in 1942, spending the next several years overseas.
After the war ended, Katsakiores returned to his hometown and eventually took ownership of White's Lunch on East Broadway. He ran the business for more than 40 years.
He also became heavily involved in local politics. He was first elected to the New Hampshire House in 1982, and re-elected every two years after that,
His civic service record was lengthy, including the Derry Budget Committee, Derry Town Republican Committee, treasurer of the Rockingham County Executive Committee, Derry Development and Preservation Corp., Manchester Airport Task Force and the NH Highway and Transportation Users Coalition.
Both he and his wife shared many years serving Derry as state representatives, a combination of more than 50 years working at the state level for Derry's interests.
For his many community efforts and involvement in local organizations and service, Katsakiores was named one of Derry's original "Town Treasures" in the first Living Treasures Recognition Ceremony in 2005.
Letourneau said he would miss serving with Katsakiores on the House Transportation Committee, a job they shared for eight years. He said he also would remember traveling back and forth with Katsakiores on trips from Derry to Washington, D.C.
"I have many fond memories of trips in my car," Letourneau recalled. "It was just George and I talking for 10 or 11 hours each way,"
Derry community television station administrator Barbara Ellingwood said Katsakiores would be missed.
"He was a wonderful man and was such a large part of the fabric of Derry," she said. "He was born here, raised his family here and spent his life here. You don't see that very often anymore."
Calling hours are set for Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Peabody Funeral Homes on Birch Street. A Mass of Christian burial is set for Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Crystal Avenue. Katsakiores will be buried at a later date in the State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.
