George Nicholas Vassilakis

George Nicholas Vassilakis was born in the small village of Potamies, on the island of Crete, Greece, to Nikolaos and Maria Vasilakis on May 9, 1926. Sponsored by his Uncle Steve, he immigrated to the USA on a student visa and added another “s” to his last name. Entering into the U.S. army while still in college, George earned his citizenship by serving in Germany as a radio operator. After being honorably discharged, he returned to school where he graduated with degrees in electrical engineering and engineering science from Fenn College, now Cleveland State University. George married his college sweetheart, Argie (Argyro) Tripodes, on August 21, 1955, and they started a family. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

George was an innovator and often challenged himself. Employment at IBM gave him the opportunity to work with early mainframe computers and his passion for them lead him to seek out other positions in this new industry. He moved his family to Southern California for work at TRW as a computer programmer. George eventually left aerospace for the University of Southern California, where he developed an educational program called Programming and Data Processing. It was designed to teach programming skills to students pursuing non-computer science majors and later became the Information Technology Program. He was proud to say that he was never out of work a day in his life. After retiring from USC, George seamlessly transitioned to director of the Greek Language School at Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Redondo Beach, CA and even dressed up as Santa Claus for the kids.

In addition to his family, his love for photography, chess, tavli, gardening, and teaching kept him busy and fulfilled. Along with Argie, cheering on Trojans football, attending meetings and conventions with AHEPA, the Southern California Cretans' Association, and the Oinoe chapter of the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood, and supporting various Hellenic causes kept his calendar full. Later in life the travel bug took them back to Greece then to Turkey, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Scandinavia, Canada, and the Caribbean, plus every state capital in the United States. His jokes and comedy routines entertained during senior showcases at church, at dinner tables, and in hospital hallways.

After a long and happy life, George passed away on February 7, 2022, at the age of 95. He is survived by his wife, Argie, his children, Nicholas (Debra Hotaling) Vassilakis, Mary Vassilakis, and Stella (Bill) Harbilas, grandchildren, Aletha, Georgia, James, and Justin, and beloved nieces, nephews, in-laws, grand nieces, and grand nephews. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 722 Knob Hill Avenue in Redondo Beach on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. with the Trisagion (Memorial Service) at 6:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the church on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception. He will be laid to rest at Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 S. Western Avenue, Rancho Palos Verdes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Katherine Greek Language School at Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church.