It is with great sadness that the family of George Karagias announces his passing on July 19, 2020, after a brief illness in his 91st year. Born in Thana, Greece to the late Theodore and Marigo Karagias. George immigrated from Greece to New York City in 1960 and then to Canada in 1973 and was the proud owner of the Sea Siren at the Tillsonburg Town Center for 35 years. He loved spending time with patrons and friends and sharing stories of Greek history and culture. After his retirement, he enjoyed walking and talking to all of his friends at the Town Center. George is a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and the Arcadian Association, London. For many years, George worked alongside his beloved wife of 56 years, Patricia (Kyiriakopoulos) Karagias, of Tillsonburg. Loving father to: Michael (Lynne) Karagias, of Niagara Falls; Theodore (Stathy) Karagias, of Mississauga; Andrew (Marianne) Karagias, of Markham. Proud ‘Papou’ to Celia, Brendan, Alexandra, Nicholas, and Connor. He will be missed by sisters-in-law Wanda Papaioannou and Georgina Kyiriakopoulos, Louie and Effie Kyiriakopoulos, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends throughout Canada, United States, Greece and England. Predeceased by his brother John Karagias and sisters Christina, Mihalia and Diamanto. Predeceased also by brothers-in-law John Papaioannou, Nick Kyiriakopoulos and Jim (late Toula) Kyiriakopoulos.

Friends and relatives are invited to offer their support and caring by sending flowers, posting photos, tributes, favourite memories, and hugs from home on George’s tribute page at the www.verhoevefuneralhomes.com. Due to COVID-19 safety restrictions, public visitation will be LIMITED to ONLY guests that sign up for a specific time to attend. Time slots will be available by visiting George’s tribute page at verhoevefuneralhomes.com or by calling (519-842-4238). Each person attending must be listed as a guest. Guests must wear face masks and maintain social distancing rules. Guests are asked not to attend if they are ill, if they have been around someone else who is ill or have travelled. Guests are encouraged to attend only when their time slot begins, if guests arrive too early, they are asked to wait in their vehicle. If guests arrive too late, they may be unable to enter. Public visitation will take place on Thursday, July 23rd, in the MAURICE J. VERHOEVE FUNERAL HOMES – BURIAL AND CREMATION SERVICES INC. Chapel, 262 Broadway Street, Tillsonburg, with four time slots available: 2:00 to 3:00 pm, 3:15 to 4:00 pm, 7:00 to 8:00 pm (Trisagion Prayers by Fr. Konstantine Chatzis will take place during this time slot at 7:30 pm), and 8:15 to 9:00 pm. In keeping with George’s wishes, a Traditional Greek Orthodox Funeral will be held at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 131 Southdale Rd. W., on Friday, July 24th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., with Fr. Konstantine Chatzis officiating. Interment follows in the Woodland Cemetery, London. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the “Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church” or to the “Canadian Cancer Society” would be appreciated by the family and can be made through the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes, Tillsonburg, entrusted with confidence with all funeral arrangements.

“The family would like to thank the nurses at the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital for their loving care and a special thank-you to Dr. Roth.”