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Tuesday, August 13, 2019
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Monday, August 12, 2019
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Monday, June 24, 2019
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Andy Diskes posted a condolence
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Thank you to the many people who have expressed their condolences to my family. We are grateful for all of your thoughts and prayers at this time.<br><br>We will proudly post your comments at his visiting hours and service so everyone can see how much he touched people's lives.<br><br>Please feel free to contact me if you are ever in the area or if you want to keep in touch. We have all of his photos and articles and videos of all his parties and news stories if anyone would like to see them. When he moved to his little apartment in Peabody, MA he brought so much memorabilia with him from the Diner. There were "GET THEIR GOAT, GIVE GEORGE YOUR VOTE signs as well as other plaques and signs and photos all over his apartment. He would never give up those memories.<br><br>Even though he was glad to be near his family in Massachusetts the last several years, his heart was truly in Ohio with all of his friends and customers. He was very sad that he didn't have his diner anymore but was happy to have all of his friends and memories.<br><br>Thank you again.<br><br>Andy Diskes<br>574 Haverhill St., Rowley, MA<br>neverlandtheatre@comcast.net <br>978 500 8832<br><br>If you are on FaceBook.com you can read a few stories I posted.<br>Just search under Andrew Diskes<br>
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Andrew Diskes posted a condolence
Sunday, July 27, 2008
STORY FROM NEWS-HERALD.COM posted by his son, Andy<br><br>Restaurateur and local legend dies <br>Jason Lea <br>JLea@News-Herald.com <br><br>07/26/2008<br> <br>George Diskes never did anything small.<br>Once he was trying to convince his friend Pat Mahoney's family to name their granddaughter Aphrodite. The family preferred a less exotic name, but, George would accept nothing less than the name of a goddess.<br>When Mahoney's daughter had the child, George sent a flower arrangement. Not just any flower arrangement - this was George, after all. He sent six dozen red carnations, a dozen pink roses and even 12 dozen sticky buns for the nurses. He also sent a card that read, To Aphrodite.<br>They named the girl Sarah, Mahoney remembered. George still had a a big-screen television waiting for them at their home.<br>Diskes, the former owner of George's World Famous Dinner Bell Diner in Painesville Township, died Thursday in Salem, Mass., at the age of 69, but he left plenty of stories behind.<br>George was raised in Richmond Heights and dropped out of Euclid High School in the 10th grade. He suffered from dyslexia and told people that he once mispronounced "island" while reading "Robinson Crusoe" in front of his class. The kids chuckled and he never read in public again, he said.<br>He earned his GED at the age of 64. The Robinson Crusoe story might be true. Mahoney wasn't sure. It might just be told for the benefit of the listener.<br>"He was the world's biggest liar," Mahoney said, laughing.<br>But George didn't lie to get over on people. He just liked a good story and didn't think the truth should hamper it, she said.<br>George was born in Peabody, Mass. He cut his teeth working at his parent's tavern, Diskes Bar. <br>He served in the Navy during the Korean War. He also was a salesman for Sears Roebuck and Co. and Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.<br>But George leaped from salesman to local celebrity when he opened the Dinner Bell in 1990. Brass kettles, pots, watering cans and other utensils hung from the walls. A cardboard cutout of the Statue of Liberty was propped against the wall.<br>The food was delicious - especially the prime rib - the portions, enormous. George claimed he got his cabbage roll recipe from Zsa Zsa Gabor, whom he flew in to eat with him on his 55th birthday. (Gabor could not be reached for verification.) The place was preposterous. It was eccentric. It was what the owner wanted.<br>Celebrities like Elton John, David Brinkley and the aforementioned Gabor swung by. Business boomed. But he got into a well-publicized tiff with Painesville Township trustees over zoning, and George briefly lost ownership of the Dinner Bell after he spent two weeks in a diabetes-induced coma in 1998.<br>"The doctor said I straight-lined," he told a News-Herald reporter in 2001. "I died and he brought me back. I had to go to a rest home to learn how to walk again."<br>George leased out the restaurant, didn't like the result and reclaimed it. He faithfully greeted diners every day, except from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., when he took a nap.<br>George told Mahoney at one point that he was worth as much as $2 million, but he outlived his fortune. Exorbitant spending got the best of him and Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems foreclosed on the Dinner Bell in 2004.<br>"He was generous, and that's probably why he died broke," Mahoney said.<br>George donated to food pantries and shelters in Ohio and Massachusetts. After the foreclosure, he moved to Boston where most of his family lived. George, who will be buried in the Boston area, leaves behind two children, five grandchildren and a million stories.<br><br>?The News-Herald 2008 <br>
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Andrew Diskes posted a condolence
Sunday, July 27, 2008
To all of my Dad's friends and customers back in Ohio:<br><br>I am thinking about doing a service or dinner for my father in his honor to celebrate his life in Painesville for all of his friends and supporters and patrons. Perhaps on his 70th birthday which would be in October. If anyone thinks that would be a good idea and would be interested in getting involved in that please feel free to contact me at neverlandtheatre@comcast.net or by calling 978 500-8832. Thank you.<br>
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Celeste posted a condolence
Sunday, July 27, 2008
May you find comfort in the memories that are yours to cherish in your hearts always, and many strengths in the companionship of those who share your loss.<br><br>My fondest memory of George: After dinner, and those famous sticky buns (absolutely the best and most delicious), my brother and I couldn't wait to run up to the cash register with the bill, and there would be George, telling us yet another story and when you are young, of course we believed them all. Most of all though we couldn't wait to pick out our favorite flavor from his everlasting supply of Dum Dum suckers. Every time, it never failed we would pick our flavor of choice and then there's George -- "Go on, take however many you want, you can't take just one, you want all the flavors, take them" and so we did. Thank you George for all of your kindness and generosity.
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Meryl Galaid posted a condolence
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Andy and family, my sincere sympathy to you all at this difficult time. I truly enjoyed reading about your father's very rich history, and the wonderful man that he was. He certainly touched many lives. My thoughts and love to you, Mariana and the girls. Love, Meryl
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Steve and Laura Koch, Cindy Grinnell posted a condolence
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Dear Andy and family, know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...and to quote one of your most popular shows:"There's one more star in heaven", no doubt shining brightly and making others smile with his dynamic personality. Steven Koch
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LOLETA SCHNEIDER & FAMILY posted a condolence
Sunday, July 27, 2008
MY TAUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH MR. DISKES FAMILY, HE WILL FOREVER MISSED<br>YOU WERE SO KIND TO MY FAMILY FROM THE<br>GRAND CAYMAN ISLANDS WHEN THEY CAME TO<br>OHIO TO SHELTER FROM THE HURRICANE THAT<br>DAMAGED OUR ISLAND, I HAVE LIVED IN OHIO<br>FOR 21YEARS AND I USED TO PICK HIS CAT<br>UP FROM HIS APARTMENT AND TAKE IT TO<br>MY GROOMING SHOP AND BATH HER AND TAKE<br>HER HOME FOR HIM, HE CALLED ME ONCE A<br>MONTH TO HAVE THAT DONE AND I HAD SOME<br>SIT DOWN TIME WITH HIM AND HE WAS A VERY<br>KIND MAN I WILL ALWAYS BE GREATFUL FOR<br>WHAT HE DID FOR MY FAMILY.<br>THANKS SO MUCH GEORGE. WILL MISS YOU.<br>LOLETA SCHNEIDER AND FAMILY<br>A
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Alice Tierney posted a condolence
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Please accept our heartfelt sympathies at a time like this.<br>Love and prayers,<br>Norma Lipinski and Alice Tierney
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Tom Dempsey posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
The last time I spoke to George was at the Dinner Bell, at that time he was on oxygen. George made time for everyone and enjoyed the kids. A great loss not only to his family but to every life he touched. God will take good care of George. Maybe even get a big bowl of soup. My blessings to his entire family.
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Marion Botello posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Peace and love to you and your family during this time of sorrow. Your father was a character filled with kindness. He was a very shrewd and intelligent person who was either your best friend or worst enemy.I worked for George many years he will be missed. Love Marion Botello
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George J. Kostan posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
My heatfelt condolences to George's family. I worked for George yrs. past as his dining room manager and remember George's love for children and how he would always make them feel special. God only made one George Diskes and he was a unique person in many ways. Rest in Peace dear friend. George Kostan
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Ronald And Donna Sopata posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Georges family. He was a dear friend to for many years. From Richmond Hts to present. We will miss him very much. Ron and Donna
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John Diskes posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
George was a bigger than life guy. I'm deeply sorry at his passing.
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Deborah Fontana posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
A truly wonderful man, so sorry for your loss.
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Deacon Ken Meade posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
The citizens of Lake County Ohio remember George with fond thoughts. <br>Our prayers are with George's family. <br><br>May the Lord raise George up and welcome him to the eternal banquet!
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Jon Stemple posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
I worked for George when he first opened Dinner Bell it was my first job and George taght me alot about business and was a good man my sympathy goes out to his family he touche many people
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Robert posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
He was a great guy and great food. He will be missed
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Joe Traversy posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Ellen:<br>I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts are prayers are with you.
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Staub Family posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Dear Andy and Family,<br>Our sincerest condolences to you and your family at this very hard time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you always. Love, "The Staub's"<br>Shelley, Chris, Alex and Zachary
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Ed & Nancy (Petrich) Potokar posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
George was a friend and fellow "classmate" from Euclid High School. We dined at his restaurant many times and were always greeted by George with a big smile. We'll miss you, George.
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The Peternelj Family posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Rest in Peace George, you'll always be our favorite Uncle. Many great laughs and his heart was as big as they get.
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Randy Whitely posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
My mother, Phyliss, worked for George for many years. At the end of the evening, he would sometimes order pizza for the waitresses. None of the ladies liked my mom's selection - anchovies. George would order a special with anchovies just for her. He always treated her well over the years that she worked for him. For that, I will always appreciate and remember Famous George!<br>Sincerely, Randy Whitely
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Tami L. & Sierra Spradlin posted a condolence
Saturday, July 26, 2008
We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to his family. Our daughter, Sierra, loved to eat @ the diner 'cause she knew George would be there & she loved to talk to him. He was a true gentleman. He would give her stuffed animals whenever she came in which was alot. He will be truely missed in this community. We cheered when he won against P'ville Twp. That was amazing. All of us looked up to him & miss his humor. He treated C like she was his own. He was a sweetheart & he will never be forgotten. R.I.P. George You left our family w/ such beautiful memories!!!!! Thanx for being you. You will be sadly missed............<br>Tami L. & Sierra Jerry & Jerry Jr.
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Dominic M Albertone posted a condolence
Friday, July 25, 2008
Friends forever!<br>From school days in Richmond Hts and Euclid; work nights at Modern Baking; thru days and nights at the Dinner Bell and beyond.<br>Dom & Jane Albertone <br>
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Robert Ulizza posted a condolence
Friday, July 25, 2008
My deepest condolences to Georges' family who over the years I was to meet and enjoy their company. I met George in 1949 in Richmond Hts Ohio when his family move to the Cleveland area. We went to school up until George went into the Navy in 1956. We had tons of fun over the later years of his life and I want to thank him for being one of my best friends and to thank him for his heart felt affection to my wife and I. George and I were like brothers when he lived in Ohio, we done many things thanks to his generosity. Goodbye dear friend and God bless you. Bob and Laurie Ulizza
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