James Genimatas

James Genimatas, age 95, a lifelong resident of Portsmouth, NH, passed away at Webster at Rye on December 22, 2023 following a period of declining health. He was the husband of the late Beverly J. (Greenaway) Genimatas who passed Nov. 30, 2016.

He was born on October 29, 1928 in Portsmouth, son of the late Nicholas & Kiriakoula (Levis) Genimatas. Jim attended the Portsmouth school system. He dropped out of high school at the age of 16 and ran off to St. Louis with a friend to join the service. Due to his age, he was disallowed and returned to Portsmouth and graduated from Portsmouth High School, Class of 1947. In high school he played basketball, track and general mischief. He excelled in track and set a couple of NH State records in short distance running. On February 21, 1952, he married his high school sweetheart, Beverly, and together they had four children.

After graduating from Portsmouth High School, he spent several years working odd jobs until eventually joining the US Air Force. He served during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1956 attaining the rank of Staff Sargeant.

Upon leaving the Air Force, he returned to Portsmouth to take over the West End Café on Islington St. from his brother Bill. After getting disillusioned with the food service industry, he sold the West End Café and attended Burdett College in Boston, MA where he got his Associate Degree in Accounting in 1960. While attending college, he worked at Schrafft’s Candy Company and upon graduation from Burdett went to work for the IRS as an auditor. After leaving the IRS, Jim had the opportunity to work as a salesman for The Gillette Company but chose instead to return home and work as a civil service accountant for the USAF at Pease Air Force Base, N.H. It was during this period that Jim, through the GI Bill, received his B.S. in Accounting from NH College in 1972. While employed with the USAF, Jim earned many awards and recognitions in Accounting and Finance. In 1977 he received the Meritorious Civilian Service award from the Strategic Air Command (SAC). In 1986, Jim received the USAF Comptroller Civilian of the Year Award and in 1988 received the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award from the USAF.

Jim also served in the US Army Reserve for many years until his retirement as a Master Sergeant in 1988.

Upon his retirement from Pease AFB he undertook a 3-month backpack trip across Europe and later that year a 2-week snowmobiling trip across northern New England and Canada. Both adventures were shared with his longtime friend George Birse. He was an avid jogger, running an average of 5-7 miles daily. Although never completing his dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail, he hiked extensively in New England with his final hike being Mount Bond, Bondcliff and West Bond at the age of 73. After completing The Bonds, he joined the AMC NH 4000 Footer Club.

He enjoyed traveling the country in his RV together with his wife, boasting of having visited all 48 contiguous US states. Jim also visited Hawaii and took a cruise to Alaska with his cousin Harold Whitehouse. Jim and Bev also enjoyed wintering in Tampa, FL at McDill AFB.

Jim was proud of his Greek heritage and was a member of the St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Portsmouth, N.H. He was a member of the Portsmouth Order of AHEPA and served as vice-president and treasurer. He also served as treasurer of the St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Parish Council for many years. He was a member of Lakonis of Saco, ME.

His Masonic affiliations included Saint Andrews Lodge #56, Scottish Rites and Shriner.

Besides his wife, Beverly, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Judi, brother, Bill Genimatas and sisters, Katherine Genimatas and Tassie Dominick.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Michael Genimatas & Dr. Diane Flamburis; two daughters and son-in-law, Vicki Genimatas, and Keri & Jeff Cathcart; four granddaughters, Chelsea, Aubrie, Mckenzie and Nicole; also, several nieces, a nephew and cousins.

SERVICES – There are no visiting hours. A burial for family and friends will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of James Genimatas can be made to the Appalachian Mountain Club, 10 City Square, Boston, MA 02129 or via their website: https://www.outdoors.org/donate/tribute-gifts. Private funeral arrangements are under the direction and care of the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel, 84 Broad St., Portsmouth, NH. For online condolences, visit: www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com .