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George A. Collias, 89, founder and president of Century Broadcasting Corp., died Tuesday, June 13, in Deerfield. Mr. Collias served as a U.S. Army paratrooper toward the end of World War II and was in active duty in the Army Reserves for twenty eight years. He graduated from Northwestern University and Loyola University School of Law, and had a five-year career as a lawyer at Baker McKenzie. He then launched a broadcasting company, Century Broadcasting. In 1964, Collias and a college buddy bought their first FM radio station in St. Louis, Missouri. Over the next thirty-four years, Century Broadcasting, a Chicago-based company headquartered in the John Hancock building, grew its broadcasting empire playing rock, jazz and easy listening over the air waves in Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, St. Louis and Tampa. When deregulation loosened ownership of radio broadcasting in the 1990s, Collias sold the company's final hometown station, WPNT-FM, in 1996.
Mr. Collias was a leader at the Hellenic Foundation, and an active member of Leadership 100, an endowment fund for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese that supports the ministries of the church. He loved to sail, travel, and spend time with family.
Mr. Collias is survived by his wife, Sharon Ann, and children Chip (Cindy) Dell, Deborah (Scott) Dell, Linda (Kurt) Berlin and the late Scott Dell; brother Nick (Jane), and his late sisters Eugenia Collias, and Danae Kornaros; his grandchildren, Jason, Ashley, and Rudy (Tricia) Dell ; Eva, Oliver, and Abel Chamberlin, and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be this Tuesday, June 20, 9:30am until time of service 10:30am at St. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 1401 Wagner Road, Glenview. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, IL
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church, 1207 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire 60069, (847) 482-1200. Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements. For funeral information 847-251-8200
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home.
June 22, 2017
The death of a love one is the most hardest thing to get over ,it's like
a tattoo
June 21, 2017
A K
Uncle George , You will be missed terribly . Achilles , Snezana ,Alexander , Danae Georgia and Dimitrios
June 20, 2017
CC
To the family George Collias. May the love of family and friends comfort you. Blessed are they that mourned: for they shall be comforted.
June 19, 2017
Mrs. Lynch
My sincere condolences to the family. May the God who binds up the brokenhearted and comforts all who mourn, sustain your family during this difficult time - Isaiah 61:1, 2.
June 19, 2017
Lynn Christian
Both my wife Carol and myself remember George as a wonderful partner in our Palm Springs second home in the 80s and personally as a close associate within Century Broadcasting in the 70s and 80s.
George was a good and patient business
executive who always treated me fairly and with respect. God bless his family in their recent loss. Lynn Christian
June 18, 2017
Dear Sharon,
My sincere condolences over the death of George. He was indeed a great gentlemen and a super businessman.May he rest in peace and may God grant you consolation.
Stacy Diacou
June 18, 2017
Anita Gass
Dear Sharon, I usually don't read the obituaries, but did this morning and saw that your husband had died. I just wanted you to know that you and your family are in my prayers. My wish is that your journey through grief will not be difficult.
June 18, 2017
On behalf of the Ninth District Cook County American Legion.
Please accept our condolences over the loss of your veteran service member.
Our prayers go with you at this time of grief.
Respectfully,
Reverend Paul Laws
Ninth District American Legion
Adjutant
June 18, 2017
Please take comfort in Psalms 29:11, knowing that in difficult times like this, God gives peace and strength. DM
June 18, 2017
Lee
My sincere condolences to the Collias family.May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time.
June 18, 2017
John A. Damianos
George and I were together at Ft. Bragg, N.C. where he was a Capt. and I was a 1st Lt.. We later served together in a Special Forces Unit (Reserve). We shared many laughs and good times. Since I had a car at Bragg I would chauffeur George around.Our fathers were friends from early 1900's. My sympathy to his family...a great fellow will be missed.
Unfortunately I am out of the country and unable to attend the services.
John A. Damianos
June 17, 2017
Family
Nikolas Kornaros
He'll be missed. A great man and a great Uncle
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