George Boutsakis

George Boutsakis was born on July 23 1940 in Selles, Lasithi, Crete and passed away on Friday August 08 2025, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Diane, his son Alexander (Melanie), daughter Athena, granddaughters Sophia and Ariadne, grandsons Xavier, Maximillian, and Alexander as well as his two sisters Georgia & Evangelia in Crete, and many nieces & nephews.

Dad was the second youngest of 7 children born to Emmanuel & Maria. He graduated from the Teachers Academy of Rhodes in 1962. He then did his military service in the Greek Airforce and while on duty in the air traffic control tower in Heraklion, he espied his future wife Diane who was on holiday from England. He went down to meet her and using French as the common language for both, they planned their first date.

Dad would later travel to England and marry Diane on January 1st 1966. He began his career with the airlines in London with Olympic Airways. Dad rode his bicycle to Heathrow and taught himself to speak, read and write English at that time.

His siblings & their young families were in Vancouver then, and after the birth of their son Alex, Dad and Mom decided to join them in what would become their new home. Dad worked various jobs initially, and eventually started his career with CP Air, and retired from Canadian Airlines in 1995. He loved working at the airport and made many lifelong friends during his time there.

As they settled into their new life and before the birth of daughter Athena, Dad, always proud of his heritage & beloved Greece, decided that he would start a school to teach the children of fellow immigrants the Greek language. His first school was started in the basement of the family home in East Vancouver. Eventually, a second school was opened in Kits on West Broadway, in the rear space of mom’s travel agency, Crown Travel. He taught grammar, history, mythology & bible studies. Many children in that span of over 30 years called him Daskalo. His commitment to preserving our culture & heritage was unwavering. In addition to those schools, Dad was very invested in the formation of the Cretan Association.

Dad was a very generous, helpful and kind individual. He would gladly give the shirt off his back to help others. Music was essential in his life. Dad had a great ear & learned to play several instruments & collected many more. Family was everything to him, and family included his friends and acquaintances. Dad and mom’s dinner parties were legendary, as were his stories. His legacy, and truly his pride and joy, are his 5 grandchildren. He loved them dearly and although he was a strict parent, he was a doting and gentle Papou.

Dad wished to be buried in his little village in Crete, overlooking the ocean. In light of this wish, flowers are gratefully declined and the family requests that donations may be made to the Parkinson Society of BC instead.

Margaret Atwood said “In the end, we all become stories.” Dad, you are a legend. Much loved, and forever in our hearts.