Three Score and Ten

Family and friends please join me in wishing my darling George a very happy Three Score Years and Ten milestone birthday.

With sincere apologies to W H Auden for changing the tone of one of his much loved poems:

“You are my North, my South, my East and West,

My working week and my Sunday rest,

My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song…..”

Happy birthday – here’s to many, many more birthdays.

“George, the consummate deal maker

Growing up serving behind the counter of his dad’s corner café from an early age taught George one of business life’s most important skills – how to trade.  George adds another vital dimension – integrity.  Many can trade and many have integrity.  Few have both.  The world needs more traders like George.” –Ed Richardson

“For George on your 70^th birthday – Our standard poodle, Molly, (an old lady now) has always been an excellent judge of character. You know immediately if she doesn’t like or trust a passer-by or a visitor – she won’t go close to them and she glares suspiciously at them from a distance.  She has a greater distrust of men because of a frightening experience she had with a gang of boys when she was a puppy, so I was a little apprehensive when George and Gail first visited us at home. 

I was waiting for George to get the cold shoulder.  Instead, for Molly, it was love at first sight!   It was almost embarrassing as she refused to leave him alone. She sat close to his chair all evening and poor George was obliged to pat and stroke her as she looked adoringly up at him.   Instinctively, I believe, Molly was drawn to all the qualities in George that make him so easy to love – his trustworthiness and kindness, his generosity and hospitality, and his quiet wisdom about so many of life’s questions.    Make no mistake, he can also be a big tease and a prankster – Molly would have sensed that too and been quite happy to have her leg pulled by her best friend. 

As a dog, Molly would not have been aware of another special quality of George’s, one that I, as a woman, both value and admire. 

The way he honours his wife, Gail.   In all the time we have known them I have only ever seen George show Gail love, affection, consideration and respect, behaviour that is rare and precious these days.   It’s always good to be in their company. 

Happy 70^th Birthday, dear George.”  –Love from Frances and Miss Molly

“Such a warm man, always ready to do something kind for the next person even if he doesn’t know them.  Happy blessings for your birthday “ – Vanessa Lavin

“I have fond memories of the three of us playing hide and seek in the streets of Hillbrow, back in the day when it was safe to do so.  We would visit Checkers to “borrow” dried peas to use in our little plastic toy guns.  On one occasion whilst opening a fold up table, George nearly lost the tip of his finger by getting it stuck in the groove.  From an early age he was always willing and keen to help others.   He is fiercely protective and loyal to family and friends.”  – Archie Charalambous

“I have known George for a few years, but he has crept into my heart and is so much more than a colleague.  Time spent with you and George on a Sunday Drive or having a bite to eat at an amazing restaurant will linger forever.  George has the amazing ability to encourage one to view the world with different eyes and from a different perspective.  He possesses an incredible wealth of knowledge which he is always willing to share with others.  Happy 70^th birthday George, by the way you don’t look a day over 50. May this birthday and this year be blessed beyond compare and may you continue to enrich our lives for many years to come.”  – Ilse Bezuidenhout

“George is very hospitable, welcoming and accommodating as well as nurturing.  His presence is assuring as it is a safe space, inviting one to rest and feel safe.”  – Sanette Cavalari

“Happy birthday George. A recent memory is during your recent visit, sitting up late with George in my flat in London – we discussed how much Pappou, theo Niko, Taki, Platon and other sacrificed to provide for all of us.” – Loucas (George’s godson).

“Happy birthday and congratulations on reaching this epic milestone – from the moment we met you we felt as though we had been your friend all of our lives.  You are such a warm and caring soul and it is a real privilege to be around you.  Sadly we don’t see enough of you guys, something we need to rectify in the coming years.  Thank you for making our dear Gail so happy.  To sum it up George you are a Mensch – Happy birthday” – Arthur and Lauren Gillis.

Dear George, Happy 70^th birthday, what a major milestone.  May this special day be a celebration of your love, kindness and generosity that you have always shown to all of us. 

Wishing you many more years of health, happiness and adventure on “the road less travelled”.     Lots of love to you” –  Cheryl Wilting.

“Kind and loyal to his family – Archie had to attend to an army camp call up  in Johannesburg, George accompanied us as we travelled to there in the Alfa.  What a fun and momentous trip!  When I was pregnant with Stelios – I had a very bad nose bleed and George, without hesitation insisted that we go  to outpatients to have it sorted out.”    Paula Charalambous (sister-in-law)

“When I was a little boy I used to love running around George’s warehouse.  I also have very fond memories of you playing chess with me and as a result I was quite good at it.   I have fond memories of spending time with you on the beach in Cyprus.” – Stelios Charalambous (nephew)

“Happy birthday to our special cousin George

You are a quiet, calming, gentle soul – and we love that about you.    Another thing is that Graham and I share a wedding anniversary with you and Gail. –   An abiding memory is how Alexia fell in love with you at first  sight.  As a baby she would always latch onto you and could not take her eyes off you.  To this day the two of you share a special bond and she refers to you and Gail as my favourite Aunt and Uncle.  We love you guys so much and according to Alexia – “they are so real”.  Happy birthday George we love you.” –  Graham, Mary, Alexia and Christopher.

“My Nono who has the biggest heart and a wicked sense of humour, I hope you have the best birthday! Thank you for always showering me with so much love and encouragement.  I love you lots.”  – Mariyana Charalambous (niece and goddaughter).

“Happy 70^th birthday, George. Having been neighbours for over 24 years, I’ve seen first-hand how your warmth and dedication has made you a true pillar of the Greek Community in Port Elizabeth.  Your passion for life is as unwavering as your loyalty to Liverpool FC – “You’ll Never Walk Alone” indeed! Wishing you a wonderful day filled with joy, love and celebrations worthy of this incredible milestone.  Warmest regards.” – Salvelio“

“Happy 70^th birthday, dear George! I have known you since I was eight, when my parents moved to Mount Pleasant for a few years.  The year was 1982, and Kaylene and I would head down to Tasos and the video shop almost daily.  Video machines were all the rage, and you kept us well supplied in Looney Tunes!  You were a wonderful neighbour then, being just down the road.  Fast forward to 20 years and we became next-door neighbours in Chelmsford Avenue, and so too the dearest of friends.  You, Gail, Salvelio and I have been through so much together, and we will continue to be there for each other.  You are caring and have a heart of gold; not to mention that you are principled, knowledgeable, generous and a true friend.  As you celebrate your “three score years and ten”, I wish you much happiness, joy and good health in the coming decade.”  – Louise Liebenberg

“What a blessing it is to be your goddaughter, our relationship has evolved from telling you how my day at school was and having my choice of any soft drink imaginable the fridge to you reminding me of my worth and the importance of living intentionally.  I have applied your wisdom in my life and that is to live fully and if I do something, to do it well, whether or not anyone understands why or how.  You are the father who taught me how to drink a martini and to eat olives.  Now when I think of you and celebrate you from afar,  I smell a freshly  picked rose  from your garden, the taste of sweet cherries enjoyed in sunlight – I experience an indescribable warmth in my heart.  As you gently handle and grow your roses, you have raised and pruned me.  With you I am always seen and heard and corrected kindly and gracefully.  What a blessing to know you my Uncle George – Happiest of birthdays.”  – Allegra Cavalari Goddaughter

“What does one ask for three score and ten – give me the wisdom to never do it again!”  – William (one crazy cousin)

“70!  George doesn’t look a year older than when we first met 25 years ago.  My children loved George from the off.  He would tease them and they would giggle away.  Then George of the Jungle came out at the cinema and the kids decided they had their own version in George which led to a certain amount of clambering over him.  But one look from George and they would all pull themselves together and be on their best behaviour. 
We had a period when money was very tight.  I couldn’t believe it when Gail and George strode into our house with enough groceries to feed an army.  I have never forgotten and never will. 
George has done his best to get me into the casino over the years.  I know I would get the bug and it would be disastrous so he hasn’t succeeded there.
George is a man of principle first and foremost. He has a strong work ethic and is firm but fair in all his dealings.  He can’t stand injustice along with Gail, to whom he is devoted.  He is also devoted to his animals.  He pretends not to be quite so soft around them but really can’t help himself. In short, George is a man of principle, generous, and kind.  I know that Spring is approaching in South Africa with the first rose from the garden posted on Facebook. 
Happy Birthday George.  Here’s to many more.”   – Alison Majugwana

“We were asked to fetch paintings from Johannesburg and statues from Durban in one weekend.

We left Friday and returned Monday morning we were delayed in Johannesburg and travelled through the night to Durban unfortunately the vents in the Kombi could not be closed and being winter the driver legs froze, so we wrapped our jerseys around but to no avail and we were forced to stop in Harrismith at a hotel to defrost our feet and legs, we managed to get about two hours sleep, then hit the road the next morning early. We had to scrape ice off the windshield before we could continue.

In Durban we were delayed again, after which we travelled through the night to King Williamstown.

We were both dead tired nodded off and nearly drove off the road – luckily we both woke at the sound of tyres driving over gravel,  Phew! A close call

Upon arrival in King Williamstown we spent the night with uncle Nick and family.

We headed off to Port Elizabeth the next morning – all of this excitement a favour to the Greek Community” – Andrew Evlambiou

“Wishing you the Happiest 70th birthday.
My fondest memory of you is when you use to visit my mom and Dad in KWT, I always use to get so excited to see you. You use to pic me up, throw me in the air, and always gave me time.
Lots of love” – Soula

“My memories of George in my childhood evoke the nostalgia of happiness, laughter and being cherished. I remember as a little girl how special George made me feel, but it was more than that. I felt like the centre of the universe because of the effort George always made to give me his time and individual attention. I treasure those memories always. I unfortunately don’t have any photos to share but i have the very vivid memory which i have shared with so many time and time again. A little girl sees her much older cousin, his backpack on his back, having hitchhiked all the way from Port Elizabeth, arrive to visit her. The delight is uncontainable! Instead of pleading weariness and fatigue, he gets straight to it. Out comes the sticky tape and i hop onto his lap and with bits of sticky tape on all his fingers, the most hilarious game commences. “Go away Peter, come back Paul” etc. I never tired of it and laughed with glee every single time. I revisit this childhood memory frequently and it still warms me to the bottom of my heart. To this truly wonderful soul, George, i wish you health and happiness in abundance today and always.” – Nikki