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George K. Chimples, a Founding Member of Leadership 100 and its Co- Chairman from the inception of the organization in 1984 to 1996, died after a long illness on Saturday, March 13, 2010. He was 91 years of age. Chimples who one can safely assert, epitomized the American dream, was a noted philanthropist, business entrepreneur, and leader in the Greek Orthodox Church, Leadership 100 and the Greek Community. He was born in Kardamyla on the island of Chios in Greece, was graduated from the gymnasion in Chios and the Merchant Marine Academy in Piraeus.
A Greek Merchant Marine officer for seven years, he joined the Royal Greek Navy in 1943, serving as an officer and participating in the Allied invasion of Normany under General Dwight Eisenhower. After having immigrated to the United States, studying business administration and establishing himself as a successful business leader, he was among 22 guests invited to a breakfast meeting in Cleveland with President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956. He was founder and former CEO of AMAC Enterprises, Inc., a metal finishing company, mega systems, an electronics manufacturing firm, and Dean Land Company and a founding director of Commerce Exchange Bank. Elevated to Archon Megas Primikirios at SS. Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Cleveland in 1957, Chimples was noted for his extraordinary leadership of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Finance Committee, for which he served as Chairman for many years. He was credited with the establishment of the LOGOS program and with the idea of forming the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, Inc. He was also a member of the Archdiocesan Council and of its Executive Committee where he served with distinction for many years.
A proud member and benefactor of SS. Constantine and Helen, where he served as Trustee, President, Vice President and Chairman of the Board of Education and Building Fund, he also supported the St. Basil Academy and St. Michael’s Home, the United Hellenic American Congress, and Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology where he established a scholarship fund. He was also an active member of the Chios Society, a long-time member of AHEPA, founder of the Kardamylian Foundation and founding President of the United Hellenic Communities of Greater Cleveland. A resident of Lyndhurst, Ohio, he leaves his wife, Janet W., his daughters, Eugenia Hasiotis, who serves on the Executive Committee of Leadership 100, and Christine Anzo, his sons, Constantine and Thomas and eight grandchildren.
Archbishop Demetrios of America presided at the funeral at SS. Constantine and Helen. Contributions may be made in his memory to SS.Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral Endowment Fund or the George K. Chimples Scholarship Fund at Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology.
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