George W. Filip, 83, passed away quietly and peacefully on August 7, 2011 at Lake Placid Health Care. George was born in Aurora, Illinois to George F. and Mary E. Filip on July 25, 1928. George was a professional accordionist from age 14 and at age 40 became the youngest musician to receive a Lifetime Gold Card from the American Federation of Musicians Union. George owned and operated the very successful Filip Music Store in Aurora, Illinois from 1954 to 1984. In 2000 George and his wife moved to Lake Placid, Florida where he built beautiful "Homes by George". In Highlands County, George's favorite activities were playing music at the nursing homes and at the Highlands Senior Center with his band "The Stardusters" and his son, Gary.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Christine (Dunlap) Filip, one son, Gary (Jana) Filip of Lake Placid; two daughters, Jolynn (Terry) Gilliam of Chinle, Arizona, and Joilynn (Bob) Littleton of Bellingham, Washington; eight grandchildren, Lara Filip, Felicia Filip Burkovskiy, Danielle Filip, Seth Filip, Patrick Tiffany, Marcus Tiffany, Matt Tiffany, Jered Ruback, and seven great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Highlands Senior Center on Friday, August 19th beginning at 11AM. After a Memorial Service and a pot-luck luncheon, a musicians' jam session will be held at George's request. In lieu of flowers and in honor of George Filip, the family requests donations be made to Highlands Senior Center, Inc., located at 3400 Sebring Parkway, Sebring, FL 33870.