George Iatrou
George J. Iatrou, 81, a long-time resident of Stamford, CT, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Monday, January 2, 2023. He was born in Logganikos (Sparta), Greece on January 12, 1941, to the late Ioannis and Eleni Iatrou. He is predeceased by his brother-in-law Efstathios Kalogeropoulos and more recently, his brother Konstantinos Iatrou, who passed away on December 6, 2022, both in Greece.
George was the beloved husband of over 52 years to Sofia Iatrou; loving father (father-in-law) of Helen Vlahakis (husband Chris Vlahakis), Ourania Pissanidis (husband Ioannis Pissanidis) and John Iatrou (fiancée Jennifer Butruch); and loving grandfather to his cherished grandchildren: Peter Vlahakis, Pauline Vlahakis, Niko Pissanidis and Gia Pissanidis. They affectionately called him Papouki and he was their everything. George was also joyfully anticipating the arrival of his fifth grandchild this month which will be his namesake. He is also survived by two sisters, Panagiota Christopoulos and Despoina Kalogeropoulos (both of Greece), a brother-in-law Konstantinos Christopoulos and sister-in-law Eleni Iatrou (both of Greece), aunts, uncles, cousins, several nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
George served as an Evzone in the Greek National Army. He proudly served as a four stripe Captain in the Greek Royal Guard under King Paul II and King Constantine II. He was chosen by the army to visit the United States to promote Hellenic tourism at Stop & Shop’s new international division. He loved the United States so much that he chose to stay and pursue the American dream.
In 1970, George returned to Greece where he met the love of his life Sofia. They married on September 13, 1970, after meeting just 13 days earlier. They both returned to the United States to start their new life together one rich in love, devotion, and family. George worked as a foreman at US Polymeric, owned a couple of successful donut shops, and worked at Pitney Bowes before retiring in 2001 to spend time with his wife and grandchildren. He was an industrious man and always took pride in everything he did.
George was a hard-working family man who generously expressed his love for family and friends through a life of rigorous service to them. He was a loving, caring, selfless, strong and charitable man. He was well respected in his community and loved by all who knew him. In his spare time, he loved to tend to his garden with his wife, especially his fig trees. He also loved to grill and enjoy many fun memorable meals with his family and friends. He will be remembered for his warm smile, strong embrace and his heart of gold. He was a devout member of both the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation and the Church of the Archangels. George instilled in his children and grandchildren a deep reverence for God and the Orthodox faith, as well as a love and sense of pride in the Greek culture.
The family is thankful to all of George’s physicians and nurses in Stamford and Norwalk, and all those at Stamford Hospital who worked tirelessly to provide him with compassionate care in the last couple of weeks of his life tending to his needs faithfully. Their tender care is appreciated and recognized.
George will be tremendously missed and forever live in the hearts of his family, friends, and by all those who knew and loved him. Eternal be his memory.
His family welcomes all relatives and friends for calling hours on Monday, January 9th from 9am-10am at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 1230 Newfield Avenue, in Stamford. A funeral service will follow at 10am, with Rev. Fr. Evangelos Evangelidis officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service at St. John Cemetery, 25 Camp Avenue, in Darien.
The family requests that any donations in George’s memory be made to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation. The family has entrusted George’s final arrangements to Nicholas Cognetta Funeral Home.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com