George D. Kakoullis

George D. Kakoullis, 87, of Kingston, NY, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2015 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY. He was born February 20, 1928 in the village of Psematismenos, Cyprus, to the late Demetrios and Eleni Kakoullis. He was the 5th of 5 children.


George met his Dad for the first time in 1947 after emigrating to the United States to work with him in the steel mills in Warren, Ohio.


An avid soccer player and fan, he enjoyed going to the semi pro games in Warren. When the ball accidentally came his way on the sideline, he gave it a kick and impressed the coach so much so that the he invited him to play with the team at the next game. He scored the winning goal of that game, but because of his work responsibilities he never pursued his dream of playing.


In 1950, George's father and future father in law, via correspondence by mail, arranged for George to meet Vasiliki in Kingston with the hopes that they would take an interest in each other. They fell in love and soon after were married. In his 3 years of working in the steel mills at $1.05/hour, besides supporting himself and sending money back to his family in Cyprus, George, saved enough to buy his beautiful fiancé an engagement ring and a brand new Pontiac for himself.


After only 2 years working with his father in law, George Ioanides, at the St. James Lunch on Broadway he was able to partner with his wife's uncle, George Zidro, to build the brand new Park Diner in 1952. In 1962 it was replaced by a newer style diner that many long time residents of Kingston remember fondly. In 1972 he moved on to build the Gateway Diner on Washington Avenue. In 1982 he opened Elena's Luncheonette in Kingston's Uptown district, followed by the Chateau Restaurant and Catering Hall in Port Ewen in 1984.


George was instrumental in planning, fundraising, and building St. George Greek Orthodox Church when there was no church at the time in Kingston for the Greek community. He served as church board president for 10 years and as vice president for 15 years. He was also president of the local AHEPA Chapter for 5 years.


He was a long time member of Kingston Lodge # 10 Free and Accepted Masons and the Cyprus Shriners Club where he helped with a lot of fundraising over the years. George was a member of the Ulster Country Traffic Safety Board 38 years. He was a member of the YMCA and would rarely miss a day of exercise.


He was an avid hunter and fisherman but his favorite pasttime was a game of poker with his pals. George enjoyed travelling and visiting his extensive family back in Cyprus, who always considered him the patriarch of the family. Nothing made him happier than visiting his homeland and the village where he was born and raised. His relatives still reside in the house where he was born.


He is survived by his wife Vasiliki, his children, James Kakoullis of Clearwater, FL, George Kakoullis, Jr., of Kingston, Penny Karvounis of Cape May, NJ, and Elena Halvorson of Los Angeles, CA, 6 grandchildren, 1 great grandson, as well as many nieces and nephews around the world.


Entrusted to the care of the A. Carr & Son Funeral Home, 65 Lucas Ave, Kingston, where friends and family may visit on Thrusday May 7th from 5pm to 8pm. The funeral procession will form on Friday May 8th at 9am at the funeral home and proceed to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 294 Greenkill Ave., Kingston where at 10am the service will be held. Burial will follow in Wiltwyck Cemetery, Kingston.


The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/donate