George

Vlavianos

George Vlavianos was born on May 7, 1920 in the small village of Vroutsi on the island of Amorgos, Greece.  He is the fourth of eight children born in a tiny house with a backyard garden.  He grew up tending to a small farm, some olive trees, and his grandfather's beehives.  When he was 17, George attended the naval academy for engineering.  He served in the Greek Navy during World War II, after which he joined the merchant marine.

He was the first of his family to venture to the U.S.  It was a major transition from growing up in a small village to living in a big city like Manhattan, but he was able to find work as a machinist and attend night school to learn the English language.

In his early 30's, George married Alexandra Chambarry an American-born Greek woman and had three children.  They left their apartment in Manhattan and bought a house in West New York, NJ.  After working all day, his evenings were busy with expanding the house, tending to yardwork, and fixing whatever was needed.  In 1969, the family moved to Ridgefield, NJ where George still resided upon his passing.  He now has five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

As a machinist he worked in several companies, including Brisk Waterproofing in Ridgefield and General Electric in North Bergen, from which he retired.  No, he never owned a diner, but he was a partner in a deli/liquor store for a short time. Unfortunately, while cutting a tree down in his yard, he fell from a limb onto a fence, injuring his back and leg.  He could not work for quite a while and had to give up the partnership.  Up until his mid-90's he loved working in his vegetable garden and around the house.

George always had a love for writing Greek poems, whether it was for family events, church celebrations, or holidays such as honoring mothers on Mother's Day.  He was an active and devoted member of the Ascension Church in Fairview, always ready to give his time and a helping hand... not only to his church but to everyone.

He spent his days reading the daily newspaper, watching TV and doing what he could around the house.

The family feels blessed to have had him at home where he passed peacefully in his sleep.  He was loved so much and survived by his children and their families; John & Melissa, Harry & Amy, Elaine & Edward; his grandchildren Veronica, Amanda, Ashley, Lauren, and Jason; his great-grandchild Robby.  He is also survived by his youngest brother Nikita and his family,  brother-in-law Charles Chambarry, sister-in-law Marina Chambarry, cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families.

No words can express what a wonderful, humble, and giving man he was.  Life will never be the same without him, but he will be in our hearts forever.

Due to covid, the family of George Vlavianos would appreciate if people accept their desire that the viewing and service is private (for John, Harry, and Elaine's immediate families only).