Missing You

Hey there. It's April. For 80 some years we celebrated this man's birthday on April 18th- only to find out his birth certificate actually says April 17th.

Bebe Calvert Cokinos Nov. 18,1918- Jan. 15, 2011

Bernice "Bebe" Cokinos, 93, a native Washingtonian who modeled for local companies and stores in the 1950s and '60s, died Jan. 15 of complications from heart disease at her home in Potomac.

Mrs. Cokinos was once featured with her mother and daughter in a Washington Post story titled "Three generations in size 9!"

Her modeling clients included Woodward & Lothrop and Lansburgh's department stores as well as the utility company Pepco. She modeled in runway shows at the Shoreham and Mayflower hotels and for magazine and newspaper advertisements.

In 1958, she won a local radio station's beauty contest for women over 40. Her prize was a backyard swimming pool, which she turned down, telling a reporter at the time: "I don't swim if I can help it. I'm strictly an indoor girl."

Bernice Calvert was born in Washington and graduated in 1935 from the old Western High School, where she met her future husband, George Cokinos.

His family owned a bar and grill at the corner of Macomb Street and Wisconsin Avenue NW. The young couple worked at the restaurant during the 1940s before moving to Potomac in 1955.

Her husband of 72 years died in 2008. Survivors include four children,  11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

from The Washington Post Feb/2011- Obit. by Emma Brown

From Sally Harris Gass

Mr Tractor

I don't know how many trailers George went through, but there are many children with broad smiles from many generations who enjoyed rides in the trailer among the leaves.

You always welcomed me as one of your own, and even after Mom died and Dad moved away- I always felt like I had a home on Riverwood Drive. George touched the lives of many people. I feel blessed that he was part of mine.

From Neighbors Michael and Jean Marlowe

It was always good to hear the sound of the leaf blower, or see George chugging along on his little tractor. He was the guardian of Riverwood Drive.  In fact, Riverwood Drive is George, and it will never be the same without him here. He was a dear sweet man.

Dancing At My Wedding

Thanksgiving 1978