George Zachariades

George Zachariades—known affectionately as Koko—was an embodiment of love and light in his 89 years.  A true gentleman whose unwavering faith, kindness and humble spirit brought light into every room he entered and comfort to every soul blessed enough to know him.  

He was the youngest of 10, born to his parents Mixalis and Anna in Vatili, Cyprus. As a young man, he went to the Geological School of Larissa, where he specialized in cheese-making. Later, he fought as a leader, to liberate his Country. George then immigrated to the United States in 1964, before returning back to Cyprus, where he met and married the love of his life, his “agape mou” Euphrosyne Eleftheriou (known as Phrosso).  They went on to build a beautiful life together for 56 years, first in New Jersey, as a cheese maker, and a co-owner of the Red Oak Diner in Fort Lee, and then in Florida, where he owned and operated the largest bakery in Florida and was owner of George’s Place in Deerfield Beach.

George was a pillar of his family and of his Greek Orthodox community; family and faith were EVERTYHING to him, and he instilled those same values in his children. When he wasn’t cooking weekly family dinners, he could be found volunteering in the kitchen of whichever church was hosting a Greek festival or other event requiring a helping hand.

As generous as George was in showing love to his family and friends, he was equally caring to strangers—the epitome of the Greek virtue of philotimo, of embracing his fellow man with generosity, respect, warmth, and good cheer.  And his philotimo was through food – his biggest joy was preparing and feeding … well everyone. On Thanksgiving, he would close the doors of his restaurant to regular business and would open it for anyone that needs, or wants, to celebrate and share in the Feast. George was that kind of man.

George leaves behind a profound legacy of love in his survivors: his wife Euphrosyne; their children Anna (Antonis), Helen (Michael), Michael (Mary Beth), and Eleftheria (Daniel); their grandchildren Kyriakos, Yiorgos, Odysseus, Ares, Stavroula, Euphrosyne, Euphemia, and Georgiana; and countless other relatives in the United States, Cyprus, and Greece, all of whom will forever treasure their memories of his warm, winning smile and gentle spirit.  He joins his parents, all of his siblings, and countless loved ones in the eternal embrace of the Lord.

To have known him is to have loved him.  May his memory be eternal.

Viewing and Funeral Service will take place on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Saint Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton at 9:00 a.m. Interment will take place directly following the funeral services at Panagia Vlahernon Greek Orthodox Monastery in Ocala.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation made in George’s memory to Panagia Vlahernon Greek Orthodox Monastery in Ocala.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George Zachariades, please visit our floral store.