George T. Couston

Visitation Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024
Visitation Time: at CHURCH from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Funeral Date: Thursday, September 26th, 2024
Funeral Time: 11:30 am
Place of Funeral: St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church
Interment: St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery

George T. Couston
Beloved husband of the late Georgia Couston; Devoted father of Thomas (Kathy) Couston and Vicki (Joseph) Couston Prieto; Loving son of the late Thomas and Vasiliki Pislis; Loving brother of the late Stephen (late Elaine) Couston, and the late Maria (late Dinos) Bovis; Adored Papou of Kristen, Georgina, George and Paul (Josie); Dear uncle Thomas, James (Elise), Diane (Nick), Athan (Michelle), Betty (Jack). In lieu of flowers can be made to St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church or Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (Hegewisch); This breaks my heart to write so soon after losing Georgia.
George Thomas Couston peacefully had his last moments with us on Sunday evening. He passed in his home, comfortable and surrounded by family, the way he always wanted. Although George was extremely healthy up until this year, his 101 year old heart slowly grew tired and unable to continue. We were offered several aggressive measures to keep him with us longer; as selfishly tempting as it was, Papou knew in his own way that the love of his life is gone and was simply ready to go. The decision was heavy, painful, and one of the most difficult ones we had to make. We promised him and Yiayia that we would make their quality of life a priority; I strongly believe we fulfilled that as a family, despite how much it hurts. Our hearts will ache for him and her forever. George was raised in Lidoriki, Greece during World War II. He left Greece when he was only 20 years old to venture to the United States. Knowing absolutely no English, he sat in kindergarten classes in hopes to absorb something. Once knowing the basics, he kept the radio on 24/7, audibly studying the English language and understanding it conversely. He later received his Masters of Library Sciences at the University of Illinois in 1953. He was employed at World Book in Chicago as an editor for over thirty years. His passion was literature; any information you needed, he was ready to find it. Despite English being his second language, he helped edit my mother’s papers while she was in law school. My grandfather was what you would consider a “walking encyclopedia”; his constant need for knowledge has always been admiral and inspiring. Along all of his successes, his greatest one was Georgia. My grandmother also grew up in Lidoriki and arrived here by ship after accepting George’s marriage offer; having briefly known him prior, she said yes. 69 years later, they experienced every ounce of life together, raising Vicki and Tom, and then later receiving grandchildren: Kristen, myself, George and Paul. My cousins and I always saw Papou as the entertainment machine. Every time we were over, Papou always had something new to show us. He once picked up a healthy dove bird (how he obtained it effortlessly, I have no clue) to show us an anatomy lesson in real time, gently pulling back the wings to explain flying mechanics. He had the natural “animal whisperer” touch, even with horses. My only regret was not letting him on Cowboy when we had the chance. In his last months, I had moved in with Papou around the end of June. Although I’m sure I never met Yiayia’s standards of cooking, it was a privilege to be with him full time, keeping the house loud with life. I am certain that Yiayia is furious that I have a 70 pound husky in her home, but at the same time, I’m sure she knows how happy Kobe made George. It was an honor to be so involved in his care until the end. I will miss him forever. Every time a radio is on, I think of you. Somewhere, you’re both young and falling in love all over again, free of your limitations. May your memory be eternal. I will love you lovebirds forever.