of Edmonton
May 9, 1938 - Jan 5, 2015
It is with great sadness that the family of Georgios Varelas announces his passing at the age of 76. George passed away at the University of Alberta Hospital after a four and a half year battle with leukemia.
George was born and raised in the mountain village of Alonistaina, which is in the Arcadia region of Greece. He was the second and youngest son of a family of six children: Konstantinos, Ioana, Aphrodite, Maria, and Athanasia. George sought adventure at a young age and went on to travel the world; living in Germany, South Africa, United States and finally Canada where he took the road less travelled and settled in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and later in Edmonton, Alberta. He lived a full life, always giving his best in everything he pursued. This included starting and running several successful independent businesses.
His dedicated loving wife, Kiriaki, whom with he shared all and worked together with every day, survives him. Together they proudly raised three successful children: Bobby, Eleni and Evie. His son, Bobby, and his daughter-in-law, Richelle, made him a happy, proud grandfather to a beautiful baby boy.
Those that met him will lovingly remember George. He had a stand out personality and always greeted people with a warm smile and arms wide open for a big hug. He will be greatly missed.
A Trisagion service will be take place on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, 7:00 pm at Foster and McGarvey Funeral Home, 10011 – 114 Street, Edmonton. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2015, 10:00 am at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, 10831-124 street in Edmonton. Interment to follow at Westlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma society would be appreciated. - See more at: http://www.lls.org.