George A Kalkounos

George A. Kalkounos, 75, of Palatine, passed away on February 17, 2026.

Born in Piriotika, Nafplion, Greece, George emigrated to the United States, first settling in Brooklyn, NY, then in Fond du Lac, WI, & ultimately in Chicago, IL. He worked tirelessly in restaurant kitchens & dining rooms before building establishments of his own. He went on to found Chicago Prime Steakhouse & several other very respected restaurants & banquet halls throughout the Chicago area.

He loved his work & treated every customer as a friend. Known by many as one of the most positive men they had ever met, George approached life with unwavering optimism & resilience. His lifelong motto was "never, never, never give up," words he lived by until his final breath. Above all, his greatest joy was his grandchildren, George & Magdalyn, who brought him immense pride & happiness.

George is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Magda Kalkounos; his sons, Andy-John (Katey) & Stelio; his grandchildren, George & Magdalyn; & his sister, Georgia Papadopoulos.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Kalkounos & Paraskevi "Betty" Kalkounos, & his siblings, Stelio Kalkounos, Giannoula Mallios, & Kalliopi Sagiotis.

He was a devoted member of St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church.

Visitation will be held on Sunday 2-22-26 1pm-5pm at Ahlgrim & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services, 330 W. Golf Road, Schaumburg, IL 60195.

A second visitation will held Monday 2-23-26 10am, followed by the Funeral Liturgy at 11am at St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church, 133 S. Roselle Rd., Palatine, IL 60067.

Interment will follow at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery in Palatine.

In lieu of flowers, donations in George's memory may be made to the George A. Kalkounos Chicago Prime Restaurants Endowed Scholarship at Harper Community College:

https://www.harpercollege.edu/foundation/donations/kalkounos.php