George Tzortzis

George passed away peacefully in his 92nd year with his granddaughter Marie-Claire by his side. Survived by his brother Nikos and his granddaughter Marie-Claire. Predeceased by his wife Maria (1933-2022) and his daughter Konstantina (“Tina”) (1967-2003), and his brothers Anastasios (1930-2017) and Dimitrios (1935-2015), and his sisters Efthimia (1926-2014) and Afroditi (1938-1944).

George was born in Sirrizo, Greece to Sotiris and Konstantina, the third of six children. He moved to the village of Psari in Messenia, Greece with his family in 1943 and resided there for five years before going to Metaxourgio in Athens in 1948 to join the Greek air force. He became an air forcemechanic and worked on fighter jet repairs and maintenance until 1956. He then moved to Piraeus in Athens and worked for an accounting firm while studying accounting in night school until 1960 when he moved to Munich, Germany to work as a mechanic team leader for a railcar fabricator.

George immigrated to Canada in 1963 and lived in Montreal, Quebec for one year before relocating to Toronto, Ontario where he pursued his career at National Rubber Company and earned his certification and licensing as an Industrial Mechanic (Millwright), a Stationary Engineer (4th and 3rd class), and a gasfitter. He worked his career as a Stationary Engineer, Mechanic, and Inspector and as a Team Leader and Foreman responsible for hydraulic systems.

He married the love of his life, Maria (née Papageorgakopoulou) in 1966 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto, and their daughter Konstantina was born in November of 1967. The source of George and Maria’s great joy, their granddaughter Marie-Claire, was born in June 2002.

George and Maria raised their daughter Konstantina with love in the comfort of their home on Mortimer Ave, East York, making many lifelong friendships with neighbours and fellow Greeks. They attended St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in East York and were faithful Greek OrthodoxChristians. They loved to travel and made regular trips to Greece and roadtrips throughout North America along with their daughter Konstantina.

George enjoyed his retirement and loved to meet his friends for coffee in the mornings to discuss news and life. George was a very private man but enjoyed interacting with others. He was a deeply generous and giving person and would never show up empty-handed; every visit and holiday came with a carload of gifts and goodies. Marie-Claire will deeply miss her grandfather with whom she was very close and created an even more special bond with while looking after him during his illness in the last few months. They talked about many things together and George was very proud of all her accomplishments. George and Marie-Claire spent his last days together and Marie-Claire was by his side until he was called back home by God.

Our sincere appreciation to all the doctors, nurses, and caregivers at PMH, TGH, and MGH in Toronto for their excellent care. Our heartfelt gratitude to Mary Wellman, Penny and Karl Arvai, and Cindy Beckett for their kindness in providing much needed support to help coordinate a special care facility in our hour of need. Thank you to all of George’s friends for their comfort and love. 

May his memory be eternal.