Elias George Christogeorge

Passed away peacefully in Vancouver on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, his wife Ru

(Rupinder) and daughter Marisa close by his side. Elias is also survived by his son Lee

(Elia). Predeceased by his father George Christogeorge (Supreme Court Judge in

Greece) and mother Maria (Georgalas), he is survived by his brothers Chris

Christogeorge (Kathy) and Nikolas Christogeorge (Lisa), nephews Thomas and Zach,

and his two loving cousins Felicity and Susanna, all living in Australia. Elias has a sister

Despina Nathaneal, nephew Stavros living in Greece. Also from Greece, always like a

brother his life-long friend Nick Zarolia.

Born in 1948, in the ancient city of Mytilini, on the beautiful island of Lesbos, Elias and

his family moved to Athens in 1955. As a young man living in St. Artemios (Athens), he

apprenticed as a jewelry and goldsmith artisan - a skill he would bring with him when he

moved to Vancouver, Canada in the summer of 1970.

Elias got to work building his jewelry design business while raising his son Lee with his

mom (Dawn). His unique, outgoing and often gregarious personality established Elias

quickly with a huge network of friends, many from the local Greek community. The

young man may have been taken from Greece… but the Greek never from the man. He

always proudly preserved and supported his natural Mediterranean heritage in every

aspect of his life.

In 1982, Elias met Ru and the two were married in 1991. Together, they designed and

built their new home in Steveston, BC. That home soon became a social epicenter… a

gathering place for anyone and everyone from anywhere and everywhere at any time

and pretty much all the time. His roast lamb and oregano chicken were the house

specialties and his homemade Mediterranean-style red wine, whether ‘fantastico’ or

downright dreadful, was always liberally dispersed and consumed with much gusto

and always to a backdrop of Greek music from his vast and eclectic collection.

In 1996, Marisa was born and the Christogeorge family moved to the west side of

Vancouver. With the arrival of a newborn, things settled down at the Christogeorge

household (well, just a little!). Elias continued with his jewelry design working from his

home studio to be closer to his family. His work was in high demand, his creations all

custom made, and, like themanhimself, their molds used only once. He leaves us all with

a legacy of love, generosity, genuine decency and a warm and never-ending hospitality.

A service, interment and a reception will be held at Mountain View Cemetery, 5455

Fraser St., Vancouver, BC at noon on June 26.

Ru and Marisa wish to thank Dr. Harpur, Dr. Foti and Dr. Herwitz for their guidance and

expertise and Dr. Harjee and all the loving and caring staff at The Adanac Park Lodge.

If you wish to, ‘in tribute’ to Elias’ courageous twelve-year battle, donations may be

made to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia.

In closing and for all that knew him, Elias was the consummate lover of life and, of

course, all things Greek. He was fascinated by the life and times of Alexander the Great

who once said, “True love never ends happily… because there is no ending to true love.”

Elias, you lived your life to the absolute fullest and loved everyone around you. Your

last chapter was a tough struggle. Rest easy now, my good friend. We are all better to

have crossed your path.