I awoke from sleep a moment ago with an epiphany: George P. Cokinos exemplifies “a life well-lived” -- a straight-forward phrase representing a profound endeavor that is a major conundrum for the majority of the humans. However, George did it triumphantly.
Forty-one years ago I met Pat Cibel and through Pat became acquainted with her parents George P. and Bebe, sister Lynda, and brothers Roger and Peter and eventually others members of their family.
Throughout the years, I was present at family events enabling me to gain a sense of George. I gleaned additional insight when Patsy, Roger, my sister Romelie, and nieces Amanda and Alyssa shared their wonderfully memorable anecdotes and experiences with and about George.
George’s legacy: perseverance, focused tenacity, superlative “sense of family”, appreciation and adherence to traditions, engaged daily in purposeful activity and work, a rich sense of humor and last but not least his “joie de vivre”-- buoyant enjoyment of life throughout!
The following quote from the great American essayist, philosopher, and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson’s surely and perfectly speaks of George: "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
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