George Pouliopoulos

A Good Life, A Complete Life
Eulogy to George Pouliopoulos
by his son, Meletios Pouliopoulos

It is difficult for me to tell you how much my Father meant to me. He was such a wonderful person – full of love, full of life. Full of such deep emotions -- of caring and compassion. Of true qualities so seldom found.

There are no bad memories here. He lived a good life, a complete life. You knew him as your Brother, your Husband, your Father, your Uncle, your Best Man, your Good Friend, your Papou. To say that he was a family man somehow seems too simple – because he formed such close, personal relationships.

He was always there – always the one we could go to for advice. He was there for us when things were bad, and there through so many good times. What a smart, sensitive, strong, loving person he was. What an impact he made on our lives.

If you stop and think about the laughter and the good times you had with him, you will remember him well.

I keep on hearing his voice – his laughter – you know, he had an incredible sense of humor. Our home was always filled with the laughter of family, of friends, of music, songs and dancing.

He was a fantastic dancer. I can see him dancing his Tsamiko – singing loud and right from his heart, and slapping his feet. So proud, so full of tradition – and emotion. I can see him slow dancing with my Mother – looking into her eyes with such love. The brilliance and depth of their relationship was always evident.

My Mother and Father were married 48 years. They were inseparable. They built a loving home, and a loving family, and had a good life together. There are such good memories here.

My Father was a man who kept his traditions. Every New Year my Father would take a coin and tap it on my head. “Sideranios,” he would say, as he tapped. When I was a young boy, I knew it was a special occasion – but didn’t fully understand, and then was just looking forward to getting the coin. As an adult I understood that his wish of “Sideranios” was a wish of strength and long life.

He loved to cook – and it was a good thing we liked to eat. It wasn’t unusual for us to spend hours together around the table. Always beginning every meal with a prayer – as he had learned from his parents that he loved so much. We would talk about what was going on in our lives, with our family, and with our friends. We sang, and we laughed. We would get up and dance around the table, and around the home.

What fun we had together. What love we have together.

There are no bad memories here. We miss him so much, and yet he is with us even now – and forever in our hearts.

George, Yiorgi, Dad, Pop, Uncle George, Nouno, Batzanaki, Koumbaro, Papou. Dear Friend, WE LOVE YOU.