George John Costouros
November 29, 1933 - September 18, 2022
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of George John Costouros. George died peacefully the evening of Sunday, September 18, 2022, in Los Gatos, California at the age of 88. His loving wife Joanna and sons John and Nick were at his side. George was born on November 29, 1933, in the village of Keramidia on the mainland of Greece. One of eight children, George grew up on his family’s farm and endured many hardships including the loss of his mother at a very young age and living through the atrocities of World War II. He was incredibly motivated, hardworking and had faith that focusing on his education would bring opportunities for a better life. Despite the challenges he faced as a young boy, he succeeded academically, and his drive and perseverance eventually led him to complete his college degree in Economics at the University of Athens. He was selected to serve as a finance officer for the Greek Air Force which at the time was considered a very prestigious vocation. As an Air Force Officer, he traveled throughout Greece after World War II and worked alongside members of the US Air Force as new bases were established throughout the country. After his sister married and moved to California, he decided to pursue further education in the United States and the American dream. In 1959, he moved to Northern California and put himself through school, eventually obtaining two additional bachelor’s and master’s degrees, an MBA, and a PhD in Business from San Jose State University and Santa Clara University. He became a tenured full-time professor at San Jose State University in the School of Business, where he taught thousands of students for over 35 years. He would always say how much he loved teaching and had a reputation for not only being a wonderful professor but also for frequently interjecting with words of wisdom about life in general.
Although George was a dedicated economist and scholar, his greatest honor and achievement was the wonderful family he shared with his beloved wife, Joanna. He met Joanna while in Athens visiting family and friends in 1969. They embarked on their life journey together, marrying and leaving their homeland Greece for America in 1970. Together, they built a life with loving friends, colleagues, extended family and their two loving sons, John and Nick in Los Gatos, California. One of George’s passions was working in the garden and tending to the many fruit trees that he had planted with his own hands. He loved taking his family on regular trips to their home in La Selva Beach near Santa Cruz overlooking the ocean. He was a devout member of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in San Jose and served the community in various capacities over the years. George was a true gentleman, with a soft-spoken wisdom, kind soul, and tireless work-ethic. He was a committed father, leading by example so that his boys would achieve full, prosperous, and happy lives. And as a loving and dedicated partner to Joanna, he epitomized what it meant to be kind, loving, patient, steadfast, and strong.
George is survived by his wife Joanna of 52 years, his sons John Costouros, MD (Stefanie Roumeliotes) and Nick Costouros, MD (Alexia Liviakis), and five grandchildren (George, John, Mary, Gia and James). He also leaves behind a brother (Antoni Kostouros) in Greece, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
The memorial (Trisagion) service will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at 7pm at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 1260 Davis St, San Jose, CA 95126. The funeral service will take place at 11am on Friday, September 23rd at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church followed by interment at Los Gatos Memorial Park, 2255 Los Gatos Almaden Road, San Jose, CA 95124. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in George’s memory to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at https://www.saintnicholas.org/donate.