Gust S. Diamantoni, 79

Gust S. Diamantoni, 79, died at home on January 10, 2007.  He was a dedicated gentleman with a strong love for God.  He will always be remembered as a loving, caring, and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather.

Gust was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, son of the late Sevastos Diamantoni and Evangelia Manuel Diamantoni.  He was married 30 years to the late Bess Grammaticas Diamantoni, who he loved with his heart and soul.  Gust had three children, Stephen G. Diamantoni, husband of Laura, James G. Diamantoni, husband of Martha, and daughter Lynn Koufidakis, all of Lancaster. He has seven grandchildren, Valerie and Katrina Koufidakis, Alexandra Diamantoni,  Stephen Natale, Gust and Will Diamantoni, and Jackson Murray all of Lancaster.

Gust graduated from McCaskey High School in 1945  and attended West Chester University.  He received a BA in Business from Franklin and Marshall College in 1963, after attending night school for ten years.

He served in the US Navy for three years. 

Gust was employed for thirty eight years by RCA where he was the manager of industrial engineering, costs, and standards.  He also taught evening classes at Lancaster Vocational School.

Gust was a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, where he served on the church council, sang in the church choir, and taught Sunday School for eighteen years.  He also coached the girl’s basketball team, where he had four undefeated seasons.  Since 1970 he was the Chairman for the Take Out Division at the annual Greek Food Bazaar.

Gust was a former member of the AHEPA, Red Rose Chapter.  He was a Free and Accepted Mason, and a member of Lamberton Lodge #476, was past High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter #43 in 1967 and Past Commander of Lancaster Commandry, Knights Templar #13 in 1966.

Gust had given generously of his time, talents, and resources to help those less fortunate, the hungry, the aged and those afflicted with ‘Life Threatening Illness.  He often visited “shut-ins” and provided them companionship.  He volunteered with the Red Cross of Lancaster General Hospital, and with Hospice of Lancaster, where he provided companionship to the terminally ill, and served on the speaker’s bureau.  He also gave time to the Water Street Rescue Mission.  He volunteered as a teacher’s assistant at Martin Luther King School.  He served as the treasurer and bookkeeper for Diamond Painting.Inc. and a billing assistant for Diamantoni and Associates Family Practice.  He also volunteered at night ministry, which later became Contact.

Gust never sought public recognition for his volunteerism,  However, it was impossible not to recognize him.  He was a very humble man and much of his generosity and service to his community was unrecognized.

On March 22, 1992, WGAL presented Gust with the Prestigious Jefferson Award for distinguished public service to his community.  He received the New Era Red Rose in May of 1992.  He received Lancaster Sertoma’s Service to Mankind Award in 1996, and Hospice of Lancaster’s Spirit of Hospice Award in 2003. 

As he put it, he “Just wanted to give back a little of what the Lord has given me”. He moved and inspired everyone who had the pleasure and honor of knowing him.

He was an avid sports fan, and loved spending time with his close knit family.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral service on Monday, January 15, 2007 at 10:30 AM at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 64 Hershey Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603.  Viewing times are as follows:  Sunday evening at Annunciation Church from 6-8 PM, the Trisagion Service will be held at 7 PM.  A second viewing will be held at Annunciation Church on Monday morning from 9:30 AM until time of service.  Interment will be held at Conestoga Memorial Park.  Please omit flowers, Memorial contributions in Gust’s memory may be sent to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation; Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Dr, Box 4125, Lancaster PA 17604; American Heart Assoc, 610 Community Way, Lancaster PA 17603; or Water Street Rescue Mission, PO Box 7267, Lancaster PA 17604.