George C. Tsoukalas

George  C. Tsoukalas

Beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend;

George Christos Tsoukalas, 74 of Pelham, NH passed away peacefully on Saturday April 1, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and friend and will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

Every day of his life, George, also known as “Jawge”, would express his unconditional love for his beloved wife, Joni of almost 52 years, and his two precious daughters, Kathy and Christa. George was a faithful family man, had a heart of pure gold, and would do anything for the people he loved. A true light to this world, his legacy will live on with his beautiful smile that could light up even the darkest of places, and his warm, welcoming embrace.

George was born in Lowell, MA, on June 19, 1948, to the late Christos George Tsoukalas and the late Olga (Vrouhas) Tsoukalas and grew up in Chelmsford, MA. Besides loving all the moments that he spent with his parents and two brothers, Spiro and Stevie, He also had fond memories of times with his extended family, including Greek Easter celebrations and working on his family’s chicken farm. Memories created during these times were amongst his happiest, and he loved telling these stories to anyone who would listen. George also loved telling stories about his father who served our country during WW2 and beamed with pride every time he talked about his family, faith, and Greek ancestry.

A graduate of Chelmsford High School, Class of 1966, he then attended Suffolk University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He went on to receive his Master of Science in Counseling from Rivier University. George was also a veteran of the United States Army Reserves, and he loved serving his country.

He met Joni on the train shortly after his mother saw a picture of her in the newspaper and told her that is the girl he would marry. As George would always say, Greek mothers are rarely wrong, and so the rest is history. He loved telling that story and cherished every moment he had with his wife Joni throughout their beautiful life together.

He spent most of his career (1975-2006) as a chemistry teacher at Billerica Memorial High School. During his summers off from work, he enjoyed some of the best times of his life traveling and making memories with his wife and two daughters. It didn’t matter to George where he was, as long as he was with family, but some of his most cherished memories included trips to Greece and several summer trips to the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

George was also a professional magician, known as “The Great Kallini”, and performed throughout the surrounding area. His favorite “gig,” however, was performing at Kathy’s and Christa’s childhood birthday parties. George was even an assistant coach for Christa’s softball teams and never missed a game or practice.

A man of numerous hobbies and interests, George was an avid Boston/New England sports fan, and loved watching all the games from his favorite place in the house: his recliner chair. Many people would joke that when they walked into George’s family room, he would be watching the games on his own little TV as he wore large headphones, while his wife and daughters dominated the main TV in the room. George would just laugh and smile, knowing if his ladies were happy, he was happy.

George also got great joy from doing projects around the house and fixing just about anything that broke. He was also a primitive archer, a skilled bow maker, avid primitive bow hunter, and a published writer in archery magazines. He enjoyed ballroom dancing with his wife, working in his yard, and organic gardening. He also enjoyed fishing and hiking and loved sharing his love for the great outdoors with his two daughters. He was an NRA Range Safety officer and a member of the Pelham Fish and Game Club, Tyngsboro Sportsman’s Club, and the White Mountain Traditional Bowhunters.

A devout Greek Orthodox Christian, George loved spending time at the Transfiguration Church in Lowell, MA and Saint Nicholas Church in Fort Pierce, FL. He was also a member of the Transfiguration choir. His family, his daughters especially, are so grateful that he instilled a deep sense of the Greek Orthodox Christian faith in them. George made sure his daughters never missed a day of Sunday School and read Bible stories to them every night before they went to bed. As adults, they witnessed his continued faith and vow to always honor his memory with a love for God, and love for others—just as George lived.

George is survived by his wife Joan M. (Mavrogianis) Tsoukalas and daughters Katherine and Christa, as well as Christa’s husband, Mark Danisewicz. Also surviving George are his brother, Steven, and Steven’s wife, Sandra Richter, as well as his sisters-in-law, Cynthia (Brooks) Tsoukalas, Carolyn (Mavrogianis) Saxonis and her husband, Nick, and Cynthia Purdis.

In addition to his parents, George is predeceased by his brother, Spiro Tsoukalas.

Friends may call at the PELHAM FUNERAL HOME 11 NASHUA RD. in PELHAM on Thursday, April 6, 2023, from 3 to 7 P.M. His Funeral Service will be held at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell, MA on Friday morning, April 7, 2023, at 10 o’clock. (Please meet at church). E-condolences/directions at www.pelhamfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 25 John Sarantos Way, Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (603) 635-3333.

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