GEORGE WILLIAM TSACOYEANES
George William Tsacoyeanes, age 85, of Las Vegas, NV, passed away peacefully January 5.
He was born in Boston, MA to William and Katina (Christofilos). He grew up in Brighton, the youngest of 5 children. He enjoyed working in his father's grocery store, and spending time with his family.
In 1961, while in college at Northeastern University, he was offered an internship at EG & G as an electrical engineer. Under their employ, he also worked at the Nevada Test Site programing computers for nuclear underground testing.
In 1974, George decided to change careers and become a CPA, after receiving his degrees in math and accounting from UNLV. He interned at Fox and Company for two years.
In 1976, George became Chief of the Division of the State of Nevada Gaming Control Board. This was perhaps the favorite job of his career. He investigated crimes such as thefts, embezzlements, and skimming in the casinos. He was also involved in several sting operations against members of "The Mob", making him a part of Las Vegas history.
In 1980, he was offered a key position at Kenilworth Roulabette. He designed the software for a cashless betting system, which would allow players to gamble from their hotel rooms. Features of the design are used in some slot machines today. While Kenilworth was securing funds to open a casino, he worked for Central Credit, a company hired by casinos to determine the betting lines of high rollers.
In 1987, George accepted a position at the Riviera Hotel as Chief Financial Officer. While he enjoyed working at "The Riv", he decided to change careers to his busiest job of all, General Manager of the Dunes.
He had a lot of good ideas to change the failing course of the aging casino, but most never came to pass. George decided it was better to leave and work for himself at a consulting business, Casino Associates. His most famous client was Debbie Reynolds. He was also employed by the National Indian Gaming Commission as an auditor and financial investigator. He traveled to many reservations around the country to help them with their casinos.
While George had a very exciting and fulfilling work life, his happiest times were with his family. He met his beloved wife, Beverly, at EG&G, and they had 40 happy years together until her death in 2002.
He was a very loving and devoted father to his two children, Cathy and John. He loved to play sports and games with them, but his happiest times were coaching John's Little League teams for 6 years. He also loved swimming in the backyard pool with his kids, teaching them to swim and dive.
He had a passion for gardening. He grew tomatoes, zucchini, squash, bell peppers, pomegranates, grapes, peaches, apricots, plums and peaches, which he also shared with everyone.
Many of his favorite times were spent camping and fishing with his family at Lehman and Baker Creeks. He taught all of his kids and grandkids how to fish, and he always had plenty of fish to eat and take home.
George also loved to cook. He made Greek dishes and desserts for Christmas, and turkey and stuffing for Thanksgiving. His "Grillmaster" skills were well known. He grilled and smoked meats every summer, especially on the 4th of July.
He was also a very loving and devoted grandfather. He took all of his grandkids, Chris, Elizabeth, Joe and Gemma, on many fun outings, watched their favorite cartoons with them, and made all of the holidays and birthdays special. He was always ready to lend an ear and offer advice or cheer on the latest achievements.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, brothers Peter and Nicholas, sister Georgia, and his wife, Beverly. He is survived by his brother, Charles, his children, Cathy and John, his son-inlaw, Shawn, and his grandchildren, Chris, Elizabeth, Joe and Gemma.
Services will be held on January 24, 10:00 am, at Palm Mortuary, 6701 N. Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89131. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Cancer Society and Nephcure Kidney International.
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