George Hioureas was born in 1937 in Messinian Mani, to Vasilios Hioureas and Eleni Begeti. The eldest son of 10 siblings (8 of whom survived to adulthood), George always bore the responsibility to lead by example and never compromised his morals, even under the most difficult of circumstances. Along with his siblings, he learned all the work that was necessary to survive life in Neochori during World War II and the civil war. He often told his grandchildren in painstaking detail about the hard work required to extract olive oil from the groves surrounding his ancestral home.

Greeks of his generation endured the hardships of World War II and the "Enphilio" Civil War, but few survived with their character and morals intact --- George Hioureas was one of those few. He remembered vividly how he hid from the Nazis on many occasions and later endured the changing tides of the civil war. The fear of starvation never left him, nor could he forget the Athenians who came to the village to exchange jewelry for bread and olive oil. He never turned away from a person on the street asking for food. He would say "It is a terrible thing to be hungry."

He could recite the lineage of every villager and also recite the church liturgy by heart. He told stories of an octopus that had trapped him in the rocks; of working in the mud to build roads in Kalamata without the proper shoes; of never letting the candle burn out in the family chapel of Panagia; of walking on the sharp rocks of Stoupa and swimming for hours; of laying in the freezing springs of Kalogria beach; and of walking to work in the freezing cold in Canada.

He completed his military service in Serres. He attended the Papaflessas school in Kalamata and learned mechanics. In 1964 he immigrated to Canada on a steam liner where he met the most important person of his life; Eleni, his wife of 56 years. The 9 years in Canada represented some of the most exciting years of his life. It was in Canada that his daughters, JoAnna and Vicki, were born. He was an immigrant in a foreign land; working double-shifts through the cold Canadian winters and simultaneously raising his two daughters. Yet nothing seemed impossible with his wife, Eleni, by his side. And although work was plentiful and he was finally the master of his own destiny, he never discarded his duty as the oldest son and did his best to help his siblings.

In 1973 he moved his family to southern California and was immediately hired by the Southern Pacific Railroad where he was known as "George the Greek". At the railroad he made lifelong friends with whom he regularly met, even in his 80s. With Eleni, he invested in local real estate; raised two daughters; put them through private universities; and saw them married. He enjoyed every moment with his five grandchildren, Alexandra, Lucas, Melina, Eleni and Phaedra.

He was blessed to share his life with his large family and he was fortunate to have many wonderful friends and koumbaroi. He laughed with all his heart, which would spread to those around him. He was famous for his lemon oven potatoes and his Breakfast of Champions. He hosted countless barbecues where a mix tape of the greatest Greek hits played and everyone danced the night away in the backyard. Neighbors would come over several times a week to sip Greek coffee on the porch on cool summer nights; to play prefa; or to school everyone in tavli (backgammon). Nobody remembers him losing a match in backgammon. There were endless dinner dances and celebrations. These were wonderful years.

He made three cross country trips with his family and traveled to 6 continents. He visited his grandchildren in Miami every year. The highlights of his travels were climbing Mount Sinai and taking his grandson to Mount Athos.

He followed politics closely and loved philosophy. He would hit a homerun every time he was at bat. He was deeply religious. He would say that during the most difficult times of his life he felt Panagia with him. He said the greatest blessing God gave him was his wife. He called her his sunshine.

His final words were to keep the kids close to God and to love one another. To value love above all else. He was always a gentleman. George Hioureas died peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones.

Services will be held at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Downey, California. The Trisagion/Wake will be at 7:00pm on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The funeral will be at 10:00am on Friday, February 24, 2023, followed by a procession to Rose Hills Cemetery, and then followed by a Makaria luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 10830 Downey Avenue, Downey, CA 90241

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Mary Harmon, owner. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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