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05/29/2012 10:00 AMGeorge Nicholas Faraclas, 92, of Branford, died peacefully at the Connecticut Hospice on May 17, surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of 65 years to Helen Basel Faraclas, with whom he shared a beautiful lifetime that included travel, volunteering, and dedication to their church and family. George was born in Ansonia on Feb. 11, 1920, son of the late Nicholas and Catherine Faraclas. He joined the US Army Air Corps and was stationed in the South Pacific during World War II, where he served as a sergeant. After completing his tour, he attended the Junior College of Commerce (Quinnipiac College) and earned an AS in accounting. George took great pride in his work as an accountant, chef, restaurateur, and auditor. Together with his brother William, he built and owned a successful chain of full-service pharmacies in the late 1960s.
George was extremely proud of his Greek heritage and spent nearly 65 years serving the community of Saint Barbara's Greek Orthodox Church. He initiated many community programs, served on the Parish Council, and was a member, past-president, and District treasurer of the AHEPA. George was honored as Ahepan of the Year and received special recognition as an honorary member of the Philoptochos Society. His favorite accomplishments were the results of his efforts as co-founder and past-chair of the Church's Odyssey Greek Festival. He also proudly volunteered his cooking expertise at the Branford Community Dining Room and at the Branford Rotary Father’s Day Breakfast.
George lived life with true passion and tireless energy. He helped many charities and individuals, and always put others before himself. To his family, he was gentle and giving, always with a big smile and warm heart. During his retirement, he looked forward to traveling west each winter with his wife Helen to be with his beloved California family. He enjoyed cooking, organizing events, playing cards, completing crossword puzzles, and sharing his time and humor with family and friends.
His family extends special thanks to all staff members at the Connecticut Hospice for their love and care, and to Yale-New Haven Hospital and Dr. Peter R. Huevelle and Dr. Jonathan Gage for helping add many years to George’s life.
Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his daughter Anne of Branford; son William and daughter-in-law Kara of Southbury; and son Paul and daughter-in-law Jacqueline of North Branford. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Elias and his wife Erin, Christian, Farah, Azer, Allison and Kristen, who adoringly knew him as “Papou,” as well as his great-grandson Tristan, and his sister Helen Karanzias and her husband John of Long Beach, California. In addition, he embraced his many nieces, nephews, and in-laws as immediate family. He was predeceased by five brothers, Gregory, Anthony, Stanley, John, and William Faraclas.
Services were held at the Celentano Funeral Home and Saint Barbara's Greek Orthodox Church, with burial in Beaverdale Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Saint Barbara Building Fund, 480 Racebrook Rd., Orange, CT 06477; or to the Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405).