The beloved George Burlotos and well-known producer of the long-running radio and television program “The Greek Spirit,” passed away at age 96. His funeral was held on Monday, May 4, 2020, at the St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
In attendance was his immediate family: sister Anna, children Eleni, Jimmy, Nikonia, and Alex, and many of his grandchildren and other relatives. Fr. Christoforos conducted the traditional ceremony, expressed his love for George, and read an obituary by the Metropolitan Evangelos.
In keeping with the difficult times of distancing, only the immediate family – 8 persons – were allowed in the Church building itself. However, his many friends had gathered in the parking lot outside, with their families in more than 30 automobiles. They accompanied George to his eternal resting place at the Locustwood Memorial Park Cemetery.
George was an elder of the community, well-known in the Greater Delaware Valley Area, a World War II veteran, a restaurateur, a banker, and one of the co-founders of the St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church. Along with many other notable awards in his lifetime, he was honored by the Federation of Hellenic Societies with the Freedom Medal and served as a Grand Marshal of an annual 25th March Parade in Philadelphia.
He will be remembered by all, and especially by his beloved group of gray-haired friends, the Kali Parea of St. Thomas.