George N. Petropulos, 88, of Hudson, NH, passed away Tuesday morning, April 6, 2021 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH after a brief illness.
Born in North Adams, Massachusetts on October 29, 1932, he was a son of the late Nicholas and Loretta (Chenail) Petropulos. A graduate of Drury High School, Class of 1950, George was a football, track and basketball standout, and was recruited to play football for Boston University on a full athletic scholarship. He later transferred to North Adams Teachers College, where he played basketball and received his bachelor’s degree in 1954.
He entered the Army in September 1954 and served as a supply specialist with the 10th transport group of the 7th Army in Germany and held the rank of Private First Class. While in Germany, George became a top football official with the American forces in that country. In 1955, as a member of the US Army Europe Athletic Officials Association, he officiated at several high-profile championship games in both Frankfurt and Mannheim, Germany, attended by more than 20,000 fans.
After serving his country, he furthered his education and earned a master’s degree in education from North Adams State College. George became a teacher and spent the next 35 years educating students in the North Adams school system, retiring in 1991. Over this time, he taught at Freeman School, Brayton Junior High School, where he was also the vice-principal and Drury High School. Beloved by his students, he was also the high school golf coach for 20 years. His teams won two Western Massachusetts Championships in 1992 and 1993.
An avid golfer, George loved hitting the links at Waubeeka Springs Golf Course with his sons and friends where he was a former club champion. He had multiple “holes-in-ones”, multiple double-eagles and held the amateur course record for years, shooting a 7 under par 65.
In 1994, George and his wife, Mary relocated to Florida, where they resided for over twenty years before moving to Hudson, NH in July of 2017. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, George loved spending time with family, and especially loved “bragging” about his grandchildren. He was a communicant of St. Kathryn Church in Hudson.
He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Mary (McDonnell) Petropulos, who passed away on February 26th of this year; and his brother, Stephen Petropulos.
Members of his family include his five children and their spouses, David and Maren Petropulos of Amherst, NH and their children, Tyler and David Jr. and his wife, Marguerite; James and Lynda Petropulos of Hollis, NH and their children, Christopher and his fiancé Rosalind Barrett, Alexander and Olivia; Karen and Thomas Coffey of Merrimack, NH and their daughters, Jennifer and Joanne; Sara and John Muckstadt of Dover, MA and their children, Dana and John; and Nicholas and Elizabeth Petropulos of Hancock, MA and their sons, Andrew and Owen. In addition to his children, he leaves behind a sister, Catherine Foster of North Adams, MA.
There are no calling hours. A memorial Mass is being planned and will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Hospice House, c/o Home Health and Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, NH. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
