Obituary of George Chiklakis

George Chiklakis age 90, passed away at his home in Burlington on Saturday, May 17 following a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  

Born in Cambridge, the son of the late Vasilios and Angela (Axiotakis) Chiklakis, George grew up in Somerville’s Brickbottom neighborhood where he would meet many lifelong friends. After working his way through Northeastern University, George met the love of his life Effie, with whom he celebrated 68 years of marriage. George served in the Army Reserves until 1963.

George and Effie started their family in Watertown before settling in Burlington in 1969.  It was there that George would cap off a successful career in business at Sanders/Lockheed with his retirement in 1997.

Over the years, George developed a knack for landscaping; his meticulously kept yard was the envy of the neighborhood. Together with Effie’s equally meticulous homemaking skills, their home provided a warm and welcoming setting for many holidays and gatherings with family and friends.

George worked hard and lived life with a deep sense of honor and dedication to his family.  A natural at practically everything he tried, George enjoyed a challenge and a playful laugh. He was always available to shoot hoops, help lay a patio, or offer advice; he loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, recitals, and graduations.

He will forever be loved and remembered for his kindness, generosity, fairness, and sense of humor.

George was the loving husband of Effie (Varkas) Chiklakis of Burlington, adored father of Stephanie Bukartek and her husband James of Burlington and William Chiklakis and his wife Karen of Georgetown, fun-loving grandfather of James Bukartek Jr., Kristyn Romano and her husband Thomas, Elena Goldthwait and her husband Richard, Christopher Chiklakis and his fiance Kyung Jin Yoo, great grandfather of Aria Joy Romano, beloved brother of Despa Marshall and her late husband Robert of Burlington and the late Andrew Chiklakis and his late wife Dorothy. Visiting hours will be Thursday, from 4pm-7pm at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St. Burlington. Funeral Service will be Friday at 10am at Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox Church, 25 Bigelow Ave, Watertown, PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. Burial will follow in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Watertown.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org.

Arrangements are by the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home. Sullivanfuneralhome.net