George P. Vourvoulias, Jr.

April 6, 1938 – September 3, 2026

George P. Vourvoulias, Jr., 88, of Green Lake, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home on September 3, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Born in Chicago to George P. Vourvoulias, Sr. and Ann (Vlahandreas) Vourvoulias, George grew up in Rogers Park and graduated from St. George's High School in Evanston.

George shared more than sixty years with his loving wife, Winnie (Bortscheller) Vourvoulias. Together they raised Alyssa (Vourvoulias) Cattanach and George P. Vourvoulias, III, in Park Ridge. He welcomed their spouses, Glenn Cattanach and Margaux Vourvoulias, as his own and was beloved Papou to Nicholas, Christopher and Abbigail Cattanach, and George IV, Gwyneth and Alexandros Vourvoulias.

George spent his career in the restaurant and hospitality business, serving as General Manager of Chicago’s historic Stock Yards Inn and later operating George’s at the Park Ridge Inn. An entrepreneur, he founded and operated Doc Weeds, Morningfields and Catering by George. He also served ten years on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Restaurant Association, where he was instrumental in advancing food safety training statewide.

Hospitality came naturally to George. Warm, generous and gregarious, he loved people, good food, crowded tables, stories and laughter. Feeding people was how he expressed affection, and he was usually the one insisting on picking up the check.

George’s Greek Orthodox faith was central to his life. He devoted decades to St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Des Plaines, serving on its Parish Council and as Parish President, as well as at the Metropolis and Archdiocesan levels. Invested as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and a recipient of the Archdiocesan Medal of St. Paul, he helped establish the St. Iakovos Retreat Center and strengthen the finances of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

George first came to Green Lake at eight months old, beginning a lifelong family tradition on Orchard Avenue. He and Winnie eventually made Green Lake their home. He was happiest when the lake house was filled with family and friends. Eighty-eight years after first arriving, he died there peacefully, surrounded by family and looking upon the lake he loved.

Above everything else was family. His grandchildren were the lights of his life. To generations of nieces, nephews and godchildren, he was the favorite Uncle George—the uncle who paid attention, made them laugh and made them feel special.

George taught his family by example to love and care for one another He showed up and helped no matter what.

In his final days, loved ones came from near and far to tell George what yshe meant to them. Hundreds more sent messages read aloud to him, allowing him to hear how many lives he had touched and how deeply he was loved.

George is also survived by his sister, Katheryn Patras (George); brother, James L. Vourvoulias (Bonita); fourteen brothers- and sisters-in-law; and more than forty nieces and nephews whom he loved unconditionally.

Visitation will be Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, 515 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI 54971. The funeral will be Friday, September 11, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 198 N. Macy St., Fond du Lac, WI 54935. Interment will follow at Dartford Cemetery in Green Lake.