George Nicholas Kretsedemas, age 86, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 in Mesa, Arizona.

He was born to the late Nicholas N. and Konstantina G. Kretsedemas on September 1, 1931, in Peleta Kynourias, Arcadia, Greece.  He immigrated to the United States on Jan. 9, 1947 and settled in Birmingham, AL. George attended public school in Birmingham where he learned the English language and the history of America. George also learned the restaurant business while working at a local bakery.  In 1955, George moved to Winslow, AZ to become co-owner and manager, with his two brothers, of the Falcon Restaurant and Lounge on historic Route 66. The Demos Brothers managed the Falcon Restaurant for 43 years until their retirement in 1998.

In 1961, George met his beautiful wife Sophia Vassiliou. They were married on February 11, 1962 in Albuquerque, NM.  George and Sophia lived in Winslow, AZ where they raised their 5 children. They relocated to Mesa in 2004. George not only co-owned the Falcon Restaurant but he was also well known for baking the Falcon's famous delicious pies. He also was an active member of the Kiwanis Club for many years. He was a talented self-taught artist displaying many of his paintings in the Falcon Restaurant. George was a humble man who was proud of his family.  He enjoyed every minute he spent with them, especially his grandchildren who will miss their Papou dearly. George loved Arizona, always calling it "God's Country," and especially the United States of America where he learned that through hard work he could achieve anything. He had the gift of gab and could make friends with anyone he met, even strangers in the mall.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sophia: children Nicholas Kretsedemas (Marie) of San Tan Valley, AZ; Tina St. Cyr (Chris) of Elizabeth, CO; Effie Cecchini (Michael) of Bay City, MI; Plato Kretsedemas of Mesa, AZ  and Georgia Padilla (Darrell) of Flagstaff,AZ;  one brother Jim Kretsedemas (Katherine) of Chandler, AZ; four sisters-in-law Enid Kretsedemas of Marietta, GA;   Tammy Kretsedemas of Flagstaff, AZ;  Polyxeni Tsoulos (Dennis) of Gold Coast, Queensland; Dionisia Vassiliou (John) of San Bernardino, CA; 10 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his younger brothers Alexander Kretsedemas and Pete Kretsedemas; and an infant sister, Stamatoula.

A viewing will be on Friday, September 7 at 6:00 p.m. with Trisagion service starting at 7:00 p.m. at Norvel Owens Mortuary, 914 Historic Rt 66, in Flagstaff.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 8 at 9:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 224 S. Kendrick St, in Flagstaff.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Flagstaff, P.O. Box 2164 Flagstaff, AZ 86003