George J. Couvaris , 88, of Ft. Pierce, Florida, passed away August 20, 2014 at the Indian River Medical Center.

He was born in the island of Ikaria, Greece where he lived until the onset of WWII. At the age of 17 he escaped from his island which had been occupied by the Nazis to the island of Cyprus. There he enlisted in the British Royal Army and fought as a gunner until the end of the War. His military training had taken him to South Africa where he had the pleasure of meeting the then exiled Queen Frederica of Greece. After the war George found employment on a cargo ship which took him to many parts of the world. Eventually the ship arrived in the port of Baltimore and the United States became his new home where he married had a family and made his living as the owner of a candy/cafe in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Upon his retirement he moved to Ft. Pierce, Florida. The Florida lifestyle suited George as he was an avid fisherman.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years Carol, his daughter Carol Joann and his grandson Alexandros as well as many other relatives.

Viewing accompanied by an Orthodox religious service will be at the Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32967 on Monday, August 25th at 3:00 pm.

The family is asking in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Ft. Pierce, FL 34981.