George Peter Drivas, 91, of Waupaca passed away Thursday, November 23, 2017 at ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca. He was born February 18, 1926 in Waupaca, Wisconsin, the son of the late Angelos and Katherine (Melehes) Drivas.
George lived his entire life in Waupaca leaving only to serve his country in the US Navy from 1944 to 1946, and to attend the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Pharmacy following one year at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. While in the US Navy, George deployed to the Pacific on the USS Santee as a Seaman First Class. His job was to assist in landing planes and fighting fires on the flight deck. He and some of his fellow shipmates from the Waupaca area earned the reputation of behaving while on shore leave. After graduating from Pharmacy school, he returned to his hometown in 1952 to go into business with his father, converting the Waupaca Candy Kitchen into Drivas Rexall Pharmacy. He married the late Soterea Pete Maduros on November 8, 1953 in Junction City, Kansas. George was active in the American Legion and VFW. In his role as a pharmacist, he served on the first board of Riverside Hospital. He introduced tuberous begonias to the City of Waupaca, their colorful blooms brightened the street. An avid organic vegetable gardener, he was always willing to share both his harvest and expertise. His backyard orchard included grapes, pear, apple, and apricot trees. Without question, George strongly supported Waupaca area community and school events. He is well known for his Badger attire and support of all things Wisconsin. He belonged to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Appleton, Wisconsin and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Survivors include his daughters, Katherine Drivas, Corcoran, Minnesota; Ann Drivas, Saint Paul, Minnesota and son, Michael Drivas, Minneapolis, Minnesota; one grandson, Theodore (Nina Slupphaug) Pender, Göteburg, Sweden; brother-in-law Bill (Gayle) Maduros, Stockton, California; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Surviving family from Waupaca includes niece, Elaine Drivas, sons John and Anthony Bolaños of Saint Paul, Minnesota; Evan (Rosa Rull) Drivas, son Peter; George (Jennifer) Drivas, sons Kyle and Ryan and Demetri (Mun) Drivas, daughters, Vanessa and Savannah, sons, John and James Drivas. George was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sister, Maria (the late Peter) Maniates, brother, Peter (the late Penny) Drivas, brother-in-law, Paul Maduros, sister-in-law, Helen (the late William) Regas, and nephew, John Drivas.
A funeral service will be held at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca on Wednesday November 29, 2017 at 11 a.m. with Reverend Father Ted Trifon officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeside Memorial Park in Waupaca. A visitation will be held on Tuesday November 28, 2017 from 4 until 7 p.m. with Trisagion prayers at 7 p.m., and again on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Waupaca High School Foundation (Scholarship Fund) or the University of Wisconsin, Madison – School of Pharmacy George P Drivas Memorial Scholarship
The family wishes to thank the staffs of Park Vista Retirement Living and ThedaCare-Waupaca for their care and kindness.