George Elias Velaoras

George Elias Velaoras

Nestled in the Pindus Mts. of Greece is the village of Agia Triada, where George was born. He was the 5th of 7 children born to Elias and Ioanna Velaoras. After serving in the Greek army, George was summering in Karpenisi where he met and married his wife, Renoula. Newly married they moved to Athens and awaited the arrival of their first born, a baby girl. With family in the states, he decided to move to Seattle for a better life. Soon after arriving, he worked at Western Steel along with other Greek immigrants. With a new life and new job, he was again blessed with another child, a baby boy. George and his brother in law Christopher, decided to open a restaurant on Pike St, the Astoria Cafe;. It wasn't long after, that George was needed full time at the restaurant and he left the foundry. Opportunity for them arose to acquire their second restaurant which they named, Grecian Corner located on 9th and Madison. Ouzo, Metaxa and Retsina flowed as Bouzoukia played for many to come and enjoy. George always treated customers like family, he shared in their pain and joy. In 1993, the Grecian Corner was renamed 1st Hill Bar and Grill. In 2005, he and his family expanded and opened another restaurant resurrecting the name Grecian Corner, located at Fisher Plaza. During this time, George experienced the best joy of his life and became a Pappou to two beautiful girls, Rena and Georgia. He is survived in life by his wife Renoula, children Ioanna Velaoras, Loui and Constantina Velaoras, granddaughters Rena and his namesake Georgia, along with several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11:00am, Thursday, December 18, 2014 at St Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. 2100 Boyer Ave E, Seattle, Wa.