UPPER DARBY, PA – George P. Stamatas passed away peacefully on Friday, April 30, surrounded by his family, Cosmos Philly reported. He was 57.

Stamatas was the beloved husband to Christina, a loving father to Nicholas, Kayla, and Paige, and a loving brother to Toula. Stamatas was a kind man and a best friend to many. His humor was infectious. He gardened, cooked, and was devoted to his family and friends. His kind heart will continue to touch us all and will be missed forever. He was a gentle giant.

George Stamatas was raised in the historic Greektown neighborhood around 69th Street in Upper Darby by immigrant parents Nicholas George Stamatas and Chrysanthi Tsolovikos Stamatas from the island of Skiathos. George grew up a member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox church throughout his youth. He was a member of the St. Demetrios GOYA and was a player on the 1983 National Championship GOYA basketball team. He was also a member of the St. Demetrios Boy Scout Troop 302, where he achieved the level of Eagle Scout.

Stamatas developed a special bond with his Greek-American neighborhood friends which lasted throughout his life, and eventually, some would become koumbari and god-father to his children. Growing up in the Upper Darby neighborhood, he was part of a fictitious band called ‘FUMD,’ that his neighborhood friends created, and he carved his own guitar. His neighborhood Greek-American friends were known as the ‘Bastards,’ a nickname that came to be based on their rambunctious character. In the years that followed, this nickname was often mentioned when one of the members referenced the other. Stamatas was also a wonderful artist and cartoonist. He was responsible for nearly all the artwork for the Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena Power District #4 Chapter newsletter that came to fame in the 1980s.

Stmatas graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1982 and went on to attend Widener University, where he earned a BS in mechanical engineering. He went to work immediately after graduating in his field and held his last position with Urban Engineers, where he was a Project Manager. He married Christina Economon in 1995 and settled in Berwyn, PA, where they raised three children. His family became members of St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall, PA, and Stamatis became godfather to Ariana Voutsakis, Evanthia Voutsakis, Uncle to Thomas, Alexandra, Phillip, and Chris, and son-in-law to Carol; brother-in-law to Ariane, Chuck, and Nick.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to a GoFundMe page which has been established to cover the immediate and future needs of his children Nicholas, Kayla, and Paige. More information is available online: shorturl.at/fnoK6.

Funeral services will take place at St. Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church, 35 North Malin Road, Broomall, PA 19008. The first viewing will be on Wednesday, May 5, 7-9 PM. The second viewing will take place on Thursday, May 6, 9-10 AM. Immediately after, the funeral service will begin at 10 AM. Interment will follow at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, 1600 South Sproul Road, Springfield, PA.