Obituaries

George Gianakos

May 15, 1958 - July 14, 2021

Burial Date July 21, 2021

Calling hours Tuesday, July 20, 2021 from 3-8pm

Funeral Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 10am at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 200 Hempsead St., New London.

Burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, New London

George Gianakos, 63, of Waterford, died unexpectedly July 14, 2021, in New York. He was born May 15, 1958, in New London, the son of the late Louis and Chrysula (Giannakakos) Gianakos. He attended local schools in New London and graduated from New London High School, Class of 1976, where he was a standout athlete in football and baseball. He later graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a BA degree in marketing. He was the co-owner of Mr. G’s, in New London.

He leaves behind many close friends and his employees whom he considered part of the family. George was a member of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, serving on the board and a member of AHEPA 250. An avid golfer, he was a member at Shennecossett Golf Club. An enthusiastic sports fan, particularly of the Red Sox, he especially loved watching his kids on the athletic field.

He was a wonderful father to Michael and Olivia. From Little League to college, whether an AAU game in New York, or a lacrosse game in Florida, he was a fixture at every sporting event for his children. He would even go to Providence, for basketball to watch Mike as a manager on the sidelines.

He was the type of dad who would visit his children at school frequently to interact with their friends and meet their families. His life revolved around Michael and Olivia and their interests.

He was larger-than-life, and would immediately endear himself to anyone and everyone he talked to. Everywhere he went, he extended his network of people that could call him their friend. Wherever we went, there was no escaping people that knew him. Once at a coffee shop in San Francisco, the owner recognized him from church. Soon there was an hour into a conversation about New London, in the middle of San Francisco.

He loved his dogs dearly. He quickly made friends with the family dog, Jacoby. Right away, they became best buds who would love to share a pizza together. Some of the best times came watching the Red Sox games with Jacoby on the couch hovering, knowing there’d be food to share.

He is survived by his beloved children, Michael Gianakos and Olivia Gianakos both of Waterford; his former wife Tracy Gianakos of Groton; his five siblings: Barbara Farnan of Florida, Nicholas Gianakos and wife Marilyn of Florida, Peter Gianakos and wife Freda of East Lyme, Anne Letsch and husband Glenn of California, Connie Clark of Weston; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His family will receive relatives and friends from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Avenue, New London. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 21, in St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 200 Hempstead Street, New London. Interment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery, New London. In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s memory made be made to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church.George