George John Maroutsos

Having greater ambitions for George than village life, his parents sent him to an elementary boarding school in Argos, and then attended Athens College on a scholarship from a family friend.

At 17 George, his mother (Nikoleta) and two sisters (Betty and Renna) emigrated to Portland, Oregon to join his father (John) where George worked as a line cook at the family diner.

George attended Portland State University, graduating with a master’s degree in electrical engineering. Shortly after, he moved to Seattle to pursue work at the Boeing Company. It was around that time that he met his wife Deena at the Continental Pastry Shop in Seattle’s University District. Deena was with her sister Mary at the time. He succeeded in getting their number but then couldn’t remember which name went with which face. His solution was to ask out whomever answered the phone and then take out whomever answered the door. As luck would have it, it was Deena who answered the door. They were married for 50 years.

George greatly valued his Greek heritage and Seattle’s Greek community. He spent countless hours working behind the scenes in the name of the common good. His compulsion to promote the Greek culture brought lecturers and plays and musical acts to Seattle. He was on the committee that initially brought about the dance program and was a member of the St. Demetrios board and later parish council president. Years later (when his own kids were in their twenties,) he re-invented and ran the Greek school. He was an officer at all levels of AHEPA for many years, and despite being present at most community events, it was almost never in a recreational capacity (but it brought him joy knowing that he helped facilitate a good time.)

An avid reader with many interests, he was always ready to ‘enlighten the unillumined’ (often enough in greater-than-needed detail) on a variety of topics, including history, philosophy, science and all manner of world politics. He enjoyed fishing, camping and photography, had a great love of music and was a collector of instruments and recordings.

George was a fair and principled man with no interest in accolades and not particularly impressed by ‘status.’ He treated everyone as a friend (sometimes friends have vigorous arguments,) and was always willing to help those in need.

He loved his family and was beloved by them. George passed away on May 25, 2025, and is survived by his wife Deena, his three children, Yianni (Kristina) Maroutsos, Nicole Maroutsos, and Ted (Ariane Gauvreau) Maroutsos. He is also survived by his four grandchildren: George (10), Nilsa (9), Themi (6), and Elizabeth (5.)

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring George’s legacy by donating to the St. Demetrios Philoptochos, learning something new, or trying to change someone’s mind.