James G. Bilmazes, 86, U.S. Air Force Veteran of Korean War

James G. Bilmazes, 86, of Haverhill, died June 3.

His was born Jan. 17, 1932 to George and Maria (Hatzidakis) Bilmazes. He attended Haverhill Public Schools and graduated from Haverhill High School in 1949. Bilmazes was Airman First Class in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Upon his return from the Air Force, he began working at the former Western Electric and then retired from the former Lucent Technologies and was a member of the Pioneers.

Bilmazes was married to Maria (Karalis) Bilmazes, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage prior to her passing in July 2014. Together, they experienced the joy of raising four girls. They enjoyed traveling with their family, affectionately known as little monsters. Whether it was car trips in the station wagon to Canada to visit Maria’s brothers, where James served as mediator and operator of the eight-track cassette player, or the several cruises they enjoyed. A quiet unassuming man, he took on the role of advocate for his younger daughter, making sure she reached her fullest potential. This responsibility he passed on to his daughter Joanne.

He also worked tirelessly for the Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, be it garnering pledges when he was a newlywed for the building of the new church community center, helping with the Sunday School and PTA, or serving on the board of directors and as president of the Church Community.

He leaves his daughters Joanne, Catherine, and Georgia of Haverhill, Elaine (Ian) Mansfield of Plaistow, N.H., and two granddaughters, Maria and Sarah Mansfield of Plaistow, N.H. He also leaves a sister Aristea DiCarlo, of Trumbell, Conn., and brothers-in-law Nicholaos (Diane) Karalis, Woodstock Ont. Gus Karalis, Smith Falls, Ont. and Panayiotis Karalis Athens, Greece, several nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his sister Christine Bilmazes, Brother in Law Nicholas DiCarlo, and sister in law Theodora Karalis. He and his family would not have made it through the last two years and longer, without the love and support of Florence his caretaker.

Visiting hours are Thursday, June 7, at Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S. Main St., Haverhill from 4 to 7 p.m. Service will begin Friday morning in the funeral home at 10. Funeral Service in Holy Apostles Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 154 Winter St., Haverhill at 11 a.m. Burial follows in Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill. Donations can be sent to Shared Living Collaborative or American Training.