George P. Bataitis

George P. Bataitis, 87, formerly of 52 Arden Parkway, passed away peacefully at 9:45 p.m., Saturday, October 11, 2014, in the Heritage Park Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility, following an extended illness.

An area resident since 1954, he was born Sept. 1, 1927, in Syracuse, N.Y., a son of the late John and Mary Bataitis. George was orphaned at the age of 8 years old. He attended the House of Providence, Christian Brothers Academy and graduated from the Most Holy Rosary School in Syracuse. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

George served his country as a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II as a submariner on the USS Raquin. Before his retirement in 1988, he was the athletic director at Jamestown Community College for over 33 years. He also taught physical education and served as interim dean of students. He also was the basketball, baseball and golf coach for several years at JCC. He was much loved by his students, many of whom had visited him within the last year.

He will be remembered as a loving and caring husband and father who loved woodworking, reading and playing the flute and fife. He loved listening to classical music and watching old movies. His favorite hobby was playing golf, and upon George’s retirement from JCC, the George Bataitis Open Golf Tournament was formed to fund the George Bataitis Athletic Fund. This fund provides scholarships for male and female athletes attending JCC.

Surviving are his wife, Joyce Anderson Bataitis, whom he married Aug. 23, 1952, a daughter, Paula (Mark) Kirsch, a son, Mark (Roxanne Newman) Batatis all of Jamestown, as well as several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he preceded in death by two brothers, John and Charles Bataitis,

In keeping with George’s wishes, his body was donated to the University of Buffalo Medical School for further medical research.

A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Friends will be received from 4-7 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the JCC Foundation, P.O. Box 20, Jamestown, NY 14701 or to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road Jamestown, NY 14701.