George Vlahos

George Angelo Vlahos, 88, of Winston Salem passed away Wednesday, December 22, 2020, at Forsyth Memorial Hospital. He was born in the village of Klapsi, Greece to Angelo and Georgia (Haskos) Vlahos.  In 1948, at the age of 15, he left Greece in search of a better life. He spent 8 years in Panama where he arrived unable to speak the language and had no place to stay but as he always said, he attended the School of Hard Knocks and his work ethic carried him through until he was able to make the move to America in 1956. Although he never forgot where he came from and regularly sent money to the church in his village in Greece, he still considered America his home sweet home. He settled in Winston Salem, NC where he was reintroduced to Olga Mathes, his grade school friend from Klapsi and they were soon married.  George worked diligently until he was able to buy a restaurant in Smith Reynolds Airport where he worked 16 years. After a brief retirement, he re-entered the restaurant business, opening Fisherman’s Quarters in Mocksville, NC. He would later help open 2 more restaurants in Hendersonville and Asheville.  Anyone who met George knew he had a passion for life, professional wrestling and the New York Yankees. He was a lover of fine cars, watches, his children, but especially his grandchildren – whom he referred to as his millions and they, in return, affectionately called him “Pups”. He also loved his church here in Winston Salem and was instrumental in helping raise the money needed to build Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and its fellowship hall that is now located on Keating Drive. He spent many hours there cooking for weddings, baptisms, funerals, and festivals and oh how he loved to dance the Tsamiko. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Olga Vlahos, his brother Pete (Katina) Vlahos of Athens Greece, his sister Mary Pappas of Asheville, his children Georgia (Greg) Wood, Maria Vlahos, and Ike (Kristi) Vlahos, all of Winston Salem and Katina (Johnny) Balatsias of Marvin, NC.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Victoria, George, Zacharias, Alexa, Michael, Chloe and Luke who will always remember his fierce love and devotion to them. The family would like to thank his caretaker, Tatjana for her love and devotion over the last few years. A private service was held on December 24th, 2020.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 435 Keating Drive, Winston Salem, NC  27104.