George Arvanitis Obituary, Death – George Arvanitis has sadly passed away. George was born in Long Branch to Samuel and Alexandra (Sassa) Arvanitis. From the time he was two years old until Cyril’s passing in 2004, he and his brother were close.
The brothers’ mother jokingly referred to them as “the diamond boy” and “the golden boy,” which led to arguments within the family over which was which. George was a four-year, three-sport letter winner at Long Branch High School and the Long Branch Public Schools. He received honors in basketball, football, and track. In his senior year, “Chickie,” as he was affectionately called, competed in the Penn Relays as a member of a four-man low-hurdle team.
Throughout high school and college, he worked as a caddie at nearby golf courses and as a lifeguard at the Long Branch Chelsea Avenue Bathing Pavilion. He continued to love both swimming and golf into his 80s. In 1946, George won a football scholarship at Rider College in Trenton, where he distinguished himself as a halfback, passer, and sporadic punter.
He was dubbed the “hardest running back on the team” by many opponent players when he won Outstanding Back of 1947. In his fond memories of his high school and college years, George spoke of his lifelong commitment to genuine compassion, friendships with people from all walks of life, and empathy and sympathy for the less fortunate. He received a deferment from the draft to enroll in St. John’s University School of Law, and he earned a B.S. from Rider College in 1950 and an LLB in 1953.
From 1953 through 1955, I served as a staff sergeant in the US Army Staff and Judge Advocate Office. In 1955, Mr. Arvanitis was required to complete a clerkship at Durand, Ivins, & Carton. One of the most reputable law firms in the State was this one. The company gave him a position with a trial-focused focus after his clerkship. He became a partner in 1964, the year Carton, Nary, Witt, and Arvanitis changed their name.
The business relocated to Tinton Falls, a park-like location, from Asbury Park. The site was purchased by Jersey Shore Outlets in 2004. His work was mostly focused on product liability, personal injury, and professional malpractice. Several times, Mr. Arvanitis presented an argument before the New Jersey Supreme Court. At the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, he also provided instruction on cross-examination. 1982 saw him become a Fellow. Top trial lawyers from the US and Canada may only apply by invitation.
