KNOXVILLE, TN – George Mandrus, 92, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 22, 2020 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on July 9, 1927, a son of the late Paul and Anna (Papadopoulos) Malandrinos. George was a member of Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Springfield and some of his fondest memories involve playing basketball for the Saint George Olympians. He was an early adopter of the one-hand set shot and was a deadly outside shooter. He was also known for his prowess at hitting a softball. George served his country during WW II in the United States Army in the Asia-Pacific region and received the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. He also served in the Merchant Marine. He was a small businessman and ran numerous restaurants, bars and nightclubs in the Springfield area. George had a lifelong love of horse racing and owned and trained many horses throughout his life. He particularly enjoyed the racing at the "Fairs" in Marshfield, Northampton and Great Barrington. George was predeceased by his brother, James Mandrus; and his two sisters, Alice Eustathion and Ethel Donahue. He leaves his two sons, David Mandrus and his wife, Veerle Keppens, of Knoxville, TN and Wayne Mandrus and his wife, Michelle Nelsen, of Chelmsford, MA; his seven grandchildren, Nora, Niels, Thomas, Michael, Matthew, Alex and Evan; his two sisters, Olga Boucher and Mary Rose; and his many nephews, nieces, cousins and numerous friends. George will Lie in Repose on Saturday, July 11, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 11:30 a.m. at Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2320 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01107, (Please observe social distancing, face masks are required and capacity is limited to 40% per Massachusetts regulations). His Burial will be private at Oak Grove Cemetery in Springfield. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. For more details and to leave his family online condolences, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com