George Nicholas Georgiou was born to Nico and Eleni in Ayia Vavara Cyprus in January 1958 and came to England in 1964 with his family he was one of four siblings Costa, Paul and Maria.. He met his childhood sweetheart Kika, who was born to Costas Tryfonos of Achna and Loulla of Yiallousa in 1976 and they married in June 1983, they have been together for 43 years and married for near 37 years. They have two sons, Steven born in May 1987 and Christopher in May 1990.
He started working at Pizza Express in 1976 as an accounts clerk and worked his way up to become Financial controller for the whole PLC helping with the growth of the brand nationally and internationally. In 1990 he decided to open up his own Pizza Express franchise in Staines which he sold 3 years later and then he converted a fabric shop in Muswell Hill in 1994 and opened another Pizza Express franchise which he sold it back to the company in 1996 as they no longer wanted franchises.
In Nov 1999 George and his brother Costas decided to purchase the famous restaurant Toffs of Muswell Hill which he regularly went to as a customer on a Friday night previously. He had such pride in Toffs and always stated that when you do what you love you it doesn’t feel like work. He loved being a prominent member of the Muswell hill community and wanted customers to come in as customers and leave as friends. He treated all his staff like family and made a point of celebrating all birthdays or big landmarks that occurred and that is one of the many reasons why many of the staff have worked for Toffs for decades. Toffs of Muswell Hill continued to win awards such as Time Out love London Awards, Hardens top Uk restaurant Awards and Fish and Chip shop of the year awards.
George grew up in Maida Vale, West London where he got his first job as a shop assistant in a greengrocers on Formosa street which he ended up running for a week whilst the owner was on holiday aged just 16. He attended North Paddington secondary school and then specialised in accountancy and management at college.
He regularly attended Chelsea games with his brothers, sons and nephews since 1975 and was able to travel abroad celebrating major achievements with Chelsea such as the 2012 Champions League Final. George would spend his day off with his family and would talk every day to his brothers Costas and Paul and his sister Maria.
George was a very religious man who attended Ayios Bandos Church (All saints Greek Orthodox Church) Church in Pratt street, Camden Town from a very young age, he was an altar boy growing up and every year helped out at the Easter services in any way he could. Where he got married and christened his two sons.
George had an encyclopedia of knowledge, wisdom and experience, he was a kind hearted soul, that never had a bad word to say about anyone, and even in times of stress and personal suffering he would always work hard to ensure others were ok before himself. He was a devoted and loving Husband, Father, brother and friend.
His selfless endless love and support he gave his family never went unnoticed, and he was cherished by all that had the pleasure to meet him or got to know him.
He has touched many lives and had so many positive influences and impacts on people.
His selfless endless love and support he gave his family never went unnoticed, and he was cherished by all that had the pleasure to meet him or got to know him.
He has touched many lives and had so many positive influences and impacts on people.
On behalf of his wife, his two sons and his whole family we would like thank everyone for their support and wonderful words as well as the beautiful tributes received. They would also like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the team at UCLH who fought so hard to bring George home to his family unfortunately this was not the case and George lost his battle to Covid19 at 12:23am Tuesday 21st April 2020.
Tribute from Catherine West MP
A tremendous loss for the British Cypriot community as well as the community in general. A lovely, caring family man. RIP God Bless, ?. Mario Anastasiades.
Theos makarisi ton R.I.P. aristos kai evi friend of all sain’t church in the yero alter boy.
To a dear friend George. May you R.I.P.
Will never forget you.