George “Bear” Eoannou
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Funeral service for George “Bear” Eoannou, 57, Lawrence will be held 1 pm Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Burial to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Bear passed away Saturday, April 11, 2015 in Lawrence, KS.
He was born on September 22, 1957 in Portland, Oregon the son of Alex Demetrius Eoannou and Lillian Marie (Harris).
Bear dedicated his life to working for Packerware “Berry” Plastics. Loyal to Packers, Bear continued his work there for 37 years until his death, moving from operator to molder and onto various management positions. In addition to his work, Bear pursued many passions. He spent many years jamming with his guitar and singing country and blues songs with his friends. Throughout his life he was passionate about the Kansas Jayhawks and would often travel to watch the basketball teams compete. In recent year, his new passion was traveling to the Caribbean. He lived his weekends and holidays by “island time,” sipping Dirty Banana’s with a loaded Crown straw in the sun. Above all, he loved his family and fishing, and dedicated almost all of his spare time to those passions.
He married his loving wife of 30 years, Debra Kay New of Meriden on May 26, 1984 in Lawrence, Kansas. She survives of the home. Other survivors include son, Ryan George and fiancé, Kelsey Schiller, Lawrence; daughter, Christina Marie Russell and husband, Bradley, Lawrence; Sister Joyce Eoannou, Lawrence; 6 step-sisters and 4 step-brothers.
The family will greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 pm Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at the mortuary.
In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his name to Success by Six or the Endowment Association for Lawrence Memorial Hospital- Cardiac Wing and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
I am SO SORRY to hear of the death of our old friend Bear. Debbie, I know how bad this hurts you and your family too. He loved life and sounds like was living it to the fullest and that is wonderful. He was always such a faithful friend to Larry, for all these many years, since high school in fact. I know he will be greatly missed by all. If there is anything you need that I can help, please call on me. a friend, Joan S
Blessing to family, Will miss him always,Always a friend always ready to help all, and loved his family above all else..
My very first encounter with Bear was in his office, feet propped up and strumming his guitar. That has always made me smile anytime I spoke to him on the phone.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I will never forget the first day we met Bear, we were transferring from IA to KS, Bear met with us and gave us a tour of the plant.
He treated us as if we were old friends instead if strangers, from that day forward we became friends.
Jeff always messed with him by turning his computer screen upside down, Bear would always yell at Jeff to put it back.
RIP Bear you will be forever in our hearts.
Deb, Ryan and Chris, if there is anything we could do to help, please let us know
Deb and family, our hearts go out to you. Bear was larger than life and will truly be missed. I still remember the first day I met Bear, he made an impression that will stay with me forever. He was always fun to be around and I loved his stories.
I only met Bear while our plant in Charlotte, NC was transitioning to be a part of the Berry Plastics world. He was very passionate about his career and helping others grow to be successful. I only knew him a short time, but Bear was a person that once you meet him, you never forget him. He makes you feel you had been friends for years and would always be for a lifetime. He will be truly missed by all that had to pleasure to know him.
I am very sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of working with Bear for the past 15 years. He will be missed.
I so enjoyed working with Bear over the years. I smiled when I read about his passion of the Caribbean, because he shared his experience with me, and how much he loved vacationing there. Bear I’m sure you have found your paradise in the sky, I will miss you and your wonderful love of life. Your entire family are in my prayers, may they find peace in the memories they carry in their hearts of you. Rest in Peace.
The world was blessed to have a person like Bear in it. He had a kind and giving heart and was always looking out for those around him. One of his favorite times of year at work was Christmas. He coordinated the adopt a family program and would always go out of his way to make sure that the families received everything on their lists plus extra fun stuff to put a smile on their face. He was like a father or brother to many of us here at Berry. He always had great stories to share and was very proud of his two children Ryan and Chrissy. He never let the small stuff get to him and always had great “back to reality” advice for me when we would sit and discuss life together. His philosophy was to ENJOY LIFE and savor every moment God gives you. He was always looking forward to his next Caribbean vacation so he could put his feet in the sand and enjoy his drinks. Heaven gained another amazing soul. His spirit will live on in many on earth as he looks down on us from Heaven.
My condolences and prayers are with the Eoannou family this week. Bear was always a joy to talk to and I enjoyed working with him very much. Even though I never met him in person, it was always a pleasure talking to him over the past 7 1/2 years.
I am so sorry to hear of Bear’s passing. I know he was a dedicated and loving man. May his family find comfort in knowing the many lives that Bear has touched. RIP my friend.
I am so sorry to hear of Bears passing. He was always fun to talk to in my 21 one years working at Packer Plastics. He always did all that he could to make that place a better environment to work. He will be missed by all of the people he touched on a daily basis. Deb and Ryan, I am really sorry for your loss. He was truly a great guy!
Mike Jacob
We are so sorry to hear about Bear. We have such fond memories of all the years at the ball parks & in the neighborhood chatting about the boys’ latest games. Bear’s energy & enthusiasm for life will be missed by all his family & friends. Our hearts go out to you.
I am so sorry to hear of Bear’s passing. He was a one of my first acquaintances in Lawrence in 1978. My deepest condolences to his family.
It is with heavy heart to say goodbye to to a good person I got to know Bear when working in Alsip plant at the conversion of Landis to Berry he came out to train us. He was such a nice person and will be missed. My prayers go out to his Family
The world is a different place today without our beloved friend. Bear truly knew how to live life to it’s fullest. He is a great man. The world lost one of the good guys. I will always be grateful to call him Friend.
I remember training Bear on some injection molding machines years ago when he first started working at Packers. He learned so fast and moved up the ladder of success. It was not a surprise for such a driven individual. He became my foreman and then my supervisor and was a wonderful person to work for. What a personality he had. With sympathy to all of the family and friends of this sweet man. With love, Joyce Rose
Bear was a great friend, he had so much zest for life! We will miss him so much. Deb, Chrissy,Ryan and Joyce our thoughts are with you.
He lived the fullest of lives, and he will be missed dearly by all friends. RIP
Deb, I am so sorry about Bear. He was always in my corner when we worked together and I always considered you both good friends. I will hold all my wonderful memories of him close to my heart and you will be in my prayers. Gay
My heart goes out to Deb, Ryan, Chrissy, Kelsey, Brad & Joyce. He was certainly a man who lived his life to the fullest. I know that his family was the most important thing in the world to him. I will always appreciate how he treated Nathan as one of his own. Nathan thought the world of Bear. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I am so saddened to hear of Bear’s passing. I worked with him from Evansville and only got the pleasure to meet him one time. I loved working with him and hearing all his stories. I always knew I could count on him if I needed help on something. He was always there. You will be missed Bear!!
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. May you and his other loved ones find peace in all of your wonderful memories. May God bless and keep all of you.
Bear was the best…His stories about the Islands are going to stay with me forever…He was a”Class Act” I know he is with the Lord now, keeping him amused with the stories and life he lived. Deb and Family he will truly be missed, but always in our hearts. Stay strong in the Lord and may the Lord continue to watch over you and the family.
Words cannot express how sorry I am to hear of Bear’s passing. I have had the pleasure of working with the whole Eoannou family during my career at Berry. Bear is definitely to most unique individual I have ever had the pleasure to know and work for. I have countless memories of Bear and will forever treasure all of them! Much love to you my friend. Rest in peace my friend!
So sorry for your loss. Bear was a great man, my mom has talked so highly of bear. He will be truly missed by all.
I will miss you Bear , Berry will be a different place without you in it. Im so blessed to have known you. Thank you for being such a genuine person.
Ryan and the family, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m always here for support if you need anything. RIP Bear.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Bear is a ,close and dear friend I will always remember the talks we had and all .the fun we had playing softball. Bear will surely missed . Bear you always be in or hearts
May our Lord bless and comfort the family during this time of grief. Please accept our sincere condolences. Bear was a great person.
Everyone that met Bear is a better person just from knowing him….
Deb, Ryan, Chrissy and Joyce I know he will live on in your hearts as he will in many..My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Heather
I am so Sorry to hear about Bear’s untimely death. I had the pleasure to meet him for the first time at the Berry Battleboro plant when he was there helping us out. He was always sending e-mails with the most uplifting messages and interesting information. Later when I transferred to the Lawrence plant, there was Bear!!. I will never forget his stories and his warm and happy personality. When Bear passed my office on his way to lunch or at the end of the day he will always stop at the map of the world next to my office and look and plan his next adventure. I will not forget Bear….my thoughts and prayers are with Deb, Ryan, Christy and Joyce.
Deb and family; Greg and I, Nancy and Scott all got to watch the service and see the film. We got to see Bear one more time, even though it was sad, we appreciated it. It is just so hard to believe. I loved his writings. He could express himself so well. Take special care of yourself. Love to you all. Charlotte and family
Joyce: I want you to know you will be in our thoughts as you grieve the loss. Grief is hard work and you will find a new feeling each day. Know prayers are with you and the Lord loves you. We love you. Take care. Charlotte and family
I had the pleasure of working with Bear over the past three or four years. Soon after meeting Bear I quickly became impressed by his knowledge about Berry and his dedication to doing the absolute best job he could. But more than that, he was a genuinely nice person who took the time to help me get acclimated and was always available to lend an ear when needed. I know he will leave a tremendous hole in the Berry Plastics team and in his family. My prayers go out to all of you. Rest in peace Bear!
Bear will truly be missed. He was such a good guy to work with at Packer. He injected a bit of fun into the workplace. I am very grateful I had the opportunity to know him. My thoughts and prayers are with you Deb, Chrissy, Ryan and Joyce.
bear was a good person to me he was happy i work in grinding room
he be miss by everybody and me
you allway be a good person thank you and your family
BEAR TOLL me I was the bast grinder he keep me in the grinding room i like the grinding i miss bear
bear i was happy i talk and was i had a better job at the plant in the grinding room
I still miss bear he was a good person he think of me crying
bear was a good boss not like like tom monton
I SORRY FOR BEAR FAMILY HE WAS A GOOD BOSS
Bear was like a friend and boss he like me he toll me i was bast grinder for Dab tell your sis in sis hi
my dad die 2002 he would be happy that bear had in me in the grinding room bear i was good Tom monton was not a good boss bear was good boss and bear with god now this for bear family
bear i can talk to him i miss him
this for bear family my dad die 2002 he would happy that bear let me run the grinding room bear and my dad are god now
for your family bear was a good person and boss tell joyce i miss her
bear was fun person to be with i can to him anytime he was happy that i run the grinding room diffiert kind of plastic learn my dad toll me before he 2002 work my up at plants to better job tell joyce bear with god
Bear is a friend and was a good boss you can talk to him anytime and god is happy that he with him this for his family
bear was good boss he was happy that i work up too better at the plant he said that i was better ginding and i like that job he with god and happy
if my dad was here he would that work up better at the plants i work at the plant 22 year and got lay off by h r person so bear family know thank you
bear was a good boss he was that work to the grinding room he toll me that i was the bast grinder my dad would be happy that i work my way up to better at the plant this for bear family h p person she lay me off i will miss bear god be with his family
bear was a good person and he was glad that he hah in in the grinding room i will miss him tell family that love you
for his familly and barry plastics he was good person and boss we miss him
baer all way like me for me work my up to better at the plant this for hiis family and berry plastics main plant so they know i work at the plant 22 year thank you sad and crying
this for bear family and berry plastics he was a person
bear family and berry plastics my dad say when i first working at the plant work my up to better job at plant
bear family and berry plastics like working for berry
this for bear family and berry plastics
marry christmas to bear family and berry plastic this for the main plant too
happy new year to bear family and berry plastics and for the main plant too
bear was a good person to me like me did me right for bear family and the main plant too thank you sad
for bear family and the main plant signing bear book is good for me and let you know too let the main plant know thank you
for bear family sign his book is good for me
for bear was good for me
let bear family know
for bear was good for me and crying and sad
crying and sad
let you know thank you
i work at the plant 22 year and bear work at plant 37 year i was lay off and was in molding but work in all 3 department this for bear family to know and the main plant too and was the old packer plastics and i did all kind at the plant bear know too thank you
i work at the plant 22 year and bear work at plant 37 year i was lay off and was in molding but work in all 3 department this for bear family to know and the main plant too and was the old packer plastics
good way too tell you thank you
sad
i like working at the plant so you know let the main plant know too thank you
this for the main plant too thank too
wwork in all 3 department
this for the main also
i too talk to someone at the plant thank you
this way too tell you all the work i did at the plant and tell the main plant too
this way too tell you all the work i did at the plant
this way too tell you all the work
this my book about me and him you know thank you
this my book about me and him
i work work with bob thomspson too
he with god now
libary show me how to the computers
J . Adams she learn me I know her bear know her too
j Adam I know her 22 year it was packer plastics
crying
thank you miss you
thank you
god love you
I have Email too you be happy
I have Email too you
hate to fish along but me and my dad did go rabbit from snow
hate to fish along but me a
now it take 4 people to do my job
happy valentine god with you
with love scotty
miss you
my email elmer326l@gmail.com
christy campbell was not a good heman resources manager i could not talk to her like the orther
at the plant talk to me like they did before they did
did not do me right
before plant care about me and they help
Happy st paterly day miss you
Happy st paterly day
st paterly day
my b-day march 26
march 26
HI
Happy 4 of July
4 of July
may 30
Happy Thinkgiving
Happy Thinkgiving love you crying
I still miss Bear he was a good boss he all way goo d to me crying
I still miss Bear he was a good boss he all way good
love you
love
love
love you
thank
miss you
miss you
love you and your family
sad
Happy to know you
thank you and all so too at the time have person was me here telling what to do I should have never listeor to him he toll me retire but was not ready to retire love you crying
HAPPY HOLLOWEEN
LOVE YOU
LOVE YOU CRYING
thank you crying
marry chasitmas
to let your family know i miss the plant
MY B-DAY this today
MY B-DAY
will more
Hope you doing ok shotty joyce
I so sorry to hear your gone, Bear your were always high in spirts and always looking out for everyone best Interest’s . am so sad to not be able to talk and joke with you. Thank for all you help to everyone. God bless you Gorge