George Anagnostou

1928 - 2017

George Anagnostou

December 28, 1928 - September 19, 2017

George Anagnostou passed away peacefully with his family at his side. George touched many lives and loved helping others.
He recently celebrated his 65 year anniversary with his amazing wife Kitsy Anagnostou, sons John, Gus, and Sam, daughters Sue and Jeannie, daughters-in-law Patty and Sula, grandchildren George (Daniela) and Jaime McFaden, George and Panos Anagnostou, George and Alexandra Anagnostou, Niko and Josh Anagnostou, Steven (Sherri) and Kitsy Kacludis, Zachary Tornquist, and great grandchildren, Jesse, Panos, and Sofia.
Son of John and Aspasia Anagnostou and brother of Chris and Dorothy, George was born and grew up during the difficult years of WWII in Thessaloniki and Aigio, Greece. These tough early years shaped him into the great man and father he became, the true Greek patriarch of his family. At the age of 17, George arrived in San Francisco to reconnect with his father, John, whom he had not seen since the war began. He determinedly convinced his father that his mother, brother, and sister must be brought to America, despite his father's objection. George enlisted in the US Navy and served for 4 years during the Korean War, and also earned a 50 year honor from the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of California, of which he was proud of. Economically unable to attend school, George got into the grocery business, and eventually acquired Maryland Market at 300 Turk Street, San Francisco. In the heart of the Tenderloin, San Francisco's toughest neighborhood, George and partner Jim Mitchel owned and operated their business for over 25 years with pride and determination; despite his predicament, George persevered for his family.
George cared for not only his family, but his community. An early contributor to Glide Memorial Church and the Hospitality House, no one ever went hungry if George knew about them. Over the years, dozens of people mailed letters thanking George for the help he had given them. George's motto was: "Help someone when they need it, not when they don't." He also guided more than 250 people's lives (many who were parolees and who were given up on) and for 25 years by giving them credit, managing their money, shopping for groceries, and much more. George is famously known for disciplining over 1,000 of his customers. What's remarkable is that they kept coming back.
George loved business and real estate, and built a lasting empire; his ultimate goal was to secure his family's future. To say he was tough is an understatement, yet his heart has been felt by thousands of people whom he touched. George loved his family and built incredible bonds with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Nothing made George Anagnostou more happy than having all his good friends and family together eating, dancing, and singing to his favorite Greek songs.
Family & Friends are invited to George's memorial service at, Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross, 900 Alameda de las Pulgas in Belmont.
Sunday, September 24
at 7:30 pm
Monday, September 25
at 10:00 am