Late George Frantzis In NEAAPA Hall of Fame

3/31/2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT QUASSY AMUSEMENT PARK 203-758-2913 EXT 108 GEORGE FRANTZIS II NEWPORT, R.I. - Family. Community. Those two words best exemplify the late George Frantzis, Sr., former chairman of Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, Conn., and past president of the New England Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Frantzis will be inducted into NEAAPA Hall of Fame at the association’s President’s Dinner at the Nathaniel Porter Inn here on March 31. For 50 years Frantzis was actively involved in the operation of Quassy, which his family purchased in 1937. He died unexpectedly Dec. 19, 1997, at the age of 70, a week after celebrating his birthday with his wife, Catherine (Maniatakis), and eight friends in the British West Indies. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he returned to Middlebury and became president of the park in 1947 and was later elected chairman. It was during his early years at the helm that the park – known for its picnicking and swimming – was transformed into a full-fledged family amusement park. In the early 1950s he purchased one of the first complete Allan Herschell kiddylands for Quassy. Those four original Herschell rides still operate at the park today. Quassy also acquired a number of family thrill rides during the ‘50s and ‘60s to make the transition complete. Under his leadership the amusement park served as the site for numerous civic and community fund-raising events. That tradition continues today as a third generation of the Frantzis family operates Quassy. Groups and organizations which have been served by the park include the United Way, the Waterbury Foundation, the Waterbury Jaycees and many others. He sponsored events to benefit the Greater Waterbury Campership Fund to help hundreds of needy children go to summer camp. A Campership fund-raiser is still held every spring at Quassy. Frantzis was also a college professor, instructing history, business and ancient Greek history at the University of Connecticut branches in Torrington and Waterbury. He was also a charter member of the Region 15 Board of Education, where he served for 28 years. He was a cum laude graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., and was a member of the football and swimming teams. “He was a very kind and gentle man who was involved in every civil and charitable organization throughout our city,” said Connecticut Gov. John G. Rowland - a Waterbury native and friend - after receiving word of Frantzis’ death in 1997. Rowland nominated him to serve on the state’s Board of Community Colleges from 1996-97. Frantzis was born in Waterbury and moved to nearby Middlebury in 1963. He was elected as a Middlebury selectman in 1964. In 1996, Frantzis was named the Anderson Boys Club Man of the Year. He was also active in the Elks Lodge, Lions Club and Exchange Club. He also served with the Waterbury Civic Theater, Waterbury Foundation and YMCA board for many years. An active member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Waterbury, he was a past president and member of the choir and served on the church’s building committee. Mr. and Mrs. Frantzis also donated to the Waterbury Hospital. He is survived by his wife and three grown children, John, Lisa and George II; a brother, John Frantzis; and a sister Catherine Frantzis; and two grandchildren. The park’s carousel building was dedicated in his memory in the spring following his death. --- 30 ---