George Evangelos Stefanidis passed away peacefully on April 9, 2025, at the age of 96. He was born on July 14, 1928, in Lechovo, Florina—a mountain village in northwestern Greece where the foundations of his character were shaped early on.
At just 15 years old, George witnessed the Nazi occupation and the burning of his village on July 23, 1943. That same year, he showed remarkable courage by escorting the village president to safety. Using one of his family’s boats, he guided him to a nearby village, shielding him from the threat of German forces.
Following the war, George joined relatives in Germany and worked in the construction trade during the country’s postwar rebuilding. He later immigrated to the United States as a legal immigrant, where he built a new life grounded in hard work and devotion to his family. Settling in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, he and his wife Olga raised three children with care and perseverance.
George worked tirelessly across construction and other trades, retiring in 1993 at the age of 65. But even in retirement, he remained active—always present in the lives of his children and grandchildren, offering support and guidance well into his later years.
In his adopted country, George was affectionately referred to by some as “ο Σκοπιανός” (the Skopian, or the one from Skopje), a nickname shaped more by geography than identity. Back in his native Lechovo, however, he was known as “ο Αμερικανός” (the American), a nod to the life he had built across the ocean.
After the passing of his wife, George continued to find joy in traveling and remained closely connected to his extended family and friends around the world. In his later years, he lived with his son Jim and daughter-in-law Stella, to whom he was deeply attached. Their relationship brought him comfort and companionship in his final decades.
He is predeceased by his wife Olga, his parents Evangelos and Eugenia, and his two sisters. He is survived by his brother Pantelis Stefanidis; his children Eugenia (late Paul), Maria (George), and Jim (Stella); six grandchildren—Elizabeth, George, and Stavros Stefanidis; Theo and Steven Gekas; and Kostas Papajohn (late Xara); four great-grandchildren; and his beloved granddog, Gia, a Bernese Mountain Dog who brought him endless joy.
Family and friends are invited to attend the viewing on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 10 a.m. at St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church, 35 N. Malin Rd, Broomall, PA. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., with interment at Arlington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Luke Beautification Fund.
George will be remembered for his quiet courage, unshakable presence, and enduring love for his family. His legacy lives on through all who had the privilege to know him.