Long-time Bridgeport attorney George Furkiotis who served on the Board of Education and was active with a number of city civic groups, passed away recently. He was 92.
Obituary from Commerce Hill Radozycki Funeral Home
Attorney George C. Furkiotis, beloved husband of Cecile Hawie Furkiotis, and longtime resident of the great town of Trumbull, CT and formerly of Black Rock, CT, passed away peacefully, at his home with his loving family by his side, after a brief, sudden illness.
Attorney Furkiotis was a devoted family man, loyal and enduring friend, dedicated attorney, and committed community volunteer who lived a faithful and respected life instilled with the compassionate spirit of service to others.
Born on May 25, 1932, he was the son of the late Constantine and Ipheginia (Jayne) Furkiotis, who came from Larissa, Greece in search of a better life. He was predeceased by many close family members including his in-laws, William and Estelle Hawie; his cousin, Dr. Constantine Forkiotis; two uncles, Big Jim and Ernest; a great nephew, Big Bill; a great uncle Dr. Albert Haddad; and family pets, Maxwell and Ashley.
He was a proud graduate of Harding High School, where he played football on championship teams. With his exemplary grades and outreach, he enrolled in The Citadel in South Carolina and became a Cadet (“Go Bulldogs.”) This fulfilled a goal of his father who believed in the virtue of helping others, and followed The Citadel core values of “Honor, Duty and Respect.” While at The Citadel, he found a great friend in the late McLeod Nigels, who was like a brother to him, taking him under his wing and guiding his Citadel experience.
George graduated Georgetown Law School, where he achieved high honors and received awards of excellence. After graduation, following his life’s goal to help give hope to others even in their darkest days, he returned to Bridgeport, CT where he began to practice law in the community. He quickly he passed the bar exam with a great score and interned with other attorneys. He soon opened his own law practice, and for more than 50 years in his prominent law career, he was astute in the practice of law. With integrity and dedication, he followed the letter of the law, spent many long nights and weekends ensuring he provided his clients the best representation possible, and practiced by his personal adage of “Don’t quit on me and I will never leave you.” This garnered him the respect of his clients and peers.
He was an active member in good standing of the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association (GBBA). He enjoyed attending the extended classes they offered to remain current with the law, and participating in Law Day, golf tournaments, holiday parties, and annual dinners. He especially loved the event’s he co-chaired with his daughter, Lexine, in past years. He was seeking the award of GBBA Career Service, but this was not achieved due to this illness.
Attorney Furkiotis always recognized the contributions of those in his law office and he was very thankful for their dedication, support, and shared commitment. This includes his paralegals, legal assistants, researchers, office assistants, the answering service, and especially his daughter, Lexine, whom he depended on while working by his side.
Back in the day, Attorney Furkiotis was known around Bridgeport as a well-dressed attorney with a big hat and cigar and oversized briefcase. He was a very gentle, special person who always gave a hand to his neighbors who lived in proximity to his law office where he was also known for being a wonderful landlord.
Additionally, throughout his lifetime, he was an active member in his community in various appointed and volunteer capacities. In Bridgeport, he served on Board of Education. In Trumbull, he was appointed to Trumbull Ethics Commission, and former Trumbull First Selectman Raymond Baldwin had confidence in him and recognized he would be a great fit for the Tashua Knolls Golf Commission. As a member of the Trumbull Democratic Town Committee, it was a tradition with his daughter to sell tickets for the annual car raffle fundraiser where they would pass the time together reading golf magazines.
He was a long-time volunteer for the Barnum Festival. He first became involved thanks to the late Honorable Judge Bassick and his family. Volunteering for Barnum Festival became a family event along with his wife, Cecile and daughter Lexine, and they founded the event known as the Red, White, and Blue Salute, formerly called The Mayor’s Reception. He found enjoyment working with his many festival colleagues through the years while fulfilling the mission of the festival.
He was a lifetime member of the AHEPA, of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (Brother George), where he was attorney and a former board member of the parish in the past. He also studied Greek and Latin languages and spoke Greek fluently. Proud of his heritage and his life’s work as an attorney, he named his daughter Lexine, as “Lex” means “law” in Latin. He was born to be a great role model for the youth.
In addition to his fulfilling law career and volunteer service, he also had many hobbies including walking in Seaside Park with his buddy, William Murphy. He loved watching the boats coming in from Long Island, especially the P.T. Barnum ferry boat. And, yes, he was a Trumbull mall walker who had to have his coffee after every walk, even though they did not serve Greek coffee at the mall! He was always a true New York Yankees fan, always representing his team with his favorite player, Paul O’Neill. He shared this with his brother-in-law, George Koulouris, while his cousin Dan Donahue was a dual Mets/Yankees fan which led to some friendly rivalry. He loved taking the Yankee train to New York to see his team play and meeting his daughter’s favorite player Graig Nettles was a highlight. He also loved playing golf at Blind Brook Country Club in Westchester, NY and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club Tuckahoe, NY.
He is survived by his loving, dedicated wife, Cecile Hawie Furkiotis; his cherished daughter, Lexine Kristin Furkiotis; his godson, Matthew George Koulouris and his caring and kind-hearted wife Ephy, and their daughter, George’s fun great-niece, Sophia Koulouris, who always made him smile; his sister-in-law Alexis B. Koulouris, and brother-in-law George J. Koulouris; his niece Carol Forkiotis and her mother, Mrs. Constance Forkiotis; and his daughter’s godson, Christian James. He also leaves behind many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.
George wanted to provide a special thank you from the bottom of his heart for the compassionate care provided by his nurses aides known as “Team George”: Shanice, Sasha T., Sasha P, Carline and Sadetta. He was so glad to be able to share his passion for Yankees baseball and golf with them. He believed that people came into our lives for a reason to become angels on earth and his family also wishes to extend their deepest gratitude for the special care they provided which made it possible for him to remain at home.
There are two quotes which personify the life of Attorney George Furkiotis. The first is from St. Thomas Aquinas, “Law is nothing other than a certain ordinance of reason for the common good, promulgated by the person who has the care of the community.” And the second, from George himself, “My final case, the defense rests in peace.”
A private service was held in Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Bridgeport where the Rite of Burial was officiated by Father Georgios Livaditis Presbyter. George was buried in his family plot in Mountain Grove Cemetery in Easton. A celebration of George’s life will take place at a later date. Details will follow.
Donations in George’s memory may be sent to: The Citadel, 171 Moultrie Street Charleston, South Carolina 29409; the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (for Order of AHEPA), 4070 Park Avenue Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604; and the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association, c/o Pullman Comley LLC, 850 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604, Attention: Community Outreach Division. For online condolences to light virtual candles and to make donations, please visit commercehillfh.com
Those who knew George would ask why he never said “good-bye.” Instead, he would say, “Good luck” because “good bye” is too final. A life well-lived but still too short because of an unjust, sudden illness. In Greek, “Eonia I Mnimi”: “Memory is eternal.”
