George's wife, Joan Tsoukalas, has just informed us that George has passed.  This is an immense loss for primitive archery, and for all of us who knew him. George posted help in greater volume and for more years than almost anyone. The modern fathers of the field are slowly departing.

I got the same message from Joan. RIP Jawge. a great guy . I sent him a stave of Hop Hormbeam years ago and he built a nice bow from it with a build along for me. Sorry to see him go.

Prayers from WV

RIP, He will be missed! God Bless His soul.

George carried the bowyer's torch with reverence for our heritage and a light hearted enthusiasm for the craft and we'll always respect and cherish him for it. But that torch isn't laying lost somewhere, alone on a barren hill, flame fading, starving for breath.

For George and those who preceded him, and those who will follow, we keep the torch raised and burning bright for our time here. We can banter about challenge, reward, trophies, particular bows and their specs, records and such, but George never did, he knew what mattered, like we do... Pay it forward. Keep it alive.

I hope he knew in his mind and heart that we would.

prayers for the family

Prayers from KY.

I enjoyed his posts. May God keep.

Well said Jeff.

SD

So sorry for his friends and family. May they find peace.

Had the pleasure of shooting with Jawge several years ago. That was a fine walk in the woods.

Sad news for sure.

Prayers for his family.

I enjoyed and profited from his posts and knowledge. RIP I will miss his presence here.

Sorry to hear. I enjoyed his post’s and wisdom.

A good ern gone home.!!!

In addition to his wealth of experience and knowledge, George was an equally splendid example of forum behavior. He didn't need to call names or pick squabbles or troll anybody; nor did he ever brag about his accomplishments, or belittle anyone else. That's how I will remember him.

RIP George. I always appreciated his posts, his knowledge, and his encouragement to get involved in the sport of archery and building self-bows. He will be missed. JW.

He will be missed.

Never got to meet him but enjoyed his post and knowledge. And yes Jawge set happens. Arvin

I’ve known George for a few decades I think, and he was very important in our traditional archery community here in New England. Sending out emails to anybody signed up on his list of when the local traditional shoots were. There’s that but really his kind presence often shooting with his daughter At local shoots will be missed by me.

He was a great and kind man and his memory will continue with me.

Jason DuLac

Prayers for George family and friends. So sad to loose the great ones.

Happy Hunting George

RIP George prayers on the way

Awful news, he'll be missed

Prayers sent for family and loved ones

Prayers to his Family and Friends.

I REMEMBER SHOOTING AT WHITTIGHAM ONE TIME WITH JAWGE AND FRIENDS. HE TOOK OFF HIS RED SOX HAT AND HUNG IT FOR US YANKEE FANS TO SHOOT AT. A GOOD LAUGH. SAD TO SEE HIM GONE.

I guess he's up there with RymanCat. His knowledge and pleasant way will be missed.

An absolute gentleman, archery was a plus. Prayers for family and friends.

My heart is heavy over this news... Jawge was a dear friend and always there for me when I needed him in good times and bad.

We lost a great one folks, an wonderful man full of positivity and great knowledge , a man who would always put others first..

I will strive to be a better person from just knowing him....

Go fling some arrows with Golden-Ridges my dear friend... With much love RIP...

RIP George, he was a main stay on here, he will be missed.

That’s too bad. Rest In Peace old friend. Prayers sent

As above, He will be missed here.

He was a good guy - and I learned a fair bit from him. Prayers for him and his family.

RIP Jawge. A wonderful participant and resource here on the Leatherwall. He will be sadly missed.

So sad to hear this. In a long thread I'd always click on his name for a common sense response. Rest in peace.

Sorry to hear of this...rest in peace sir.

His official obit :

https://www.pelhamfuneralhome.com/obituary/George-Tsoukalas

His funeral will be broadcast. If you would like to see it:

His wife sent this :

Here is the direct link to livestream - Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church - YouTube .

If anyone runs into any issues they can call the church  office at 978-4548-4321 and the church secretary will try to help.

RIP. George.

Here’s the date and time

April 7 at 10 AM at Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, Lowell, MA

Prayers up!!

WOW! I can't hardly believe this?! RIP Jawge.

ttt

George C. Tsoukalas

Beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend;

George Christos Tsoukalas, 74 of Pelham, NH passed away peacefully on Saturday April 1, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and friend and will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

Every day of his life, George, also known as “Jawge”, would express his unconditional love for his beloved wife, Joni of almost 52 years, and his two precious daughters, Kathy and Christa. George was a faithful family man, had a heart of pure gold, and would do anything for the people he loved. A true light to this world, his legacy will live on with his beautiful smile that could light up even the darkest of places, and his warm, welcoming embrace.

George was born in Lowell, MA, on June 19, 1948, to the late Christos George Tsoukalas and the late Olga (Vrouhas) Tsoukalas and grew up in Chelmsford, MA. Besides loving all the moments that he spent with his parents and two brothers, Spiro and Stevie, He also had fond memories of times with his extended family, including Greek Easter celebrations and working on his family’s chicken farm. Memories created during these times were amongst his happiest, and he loved telling these stories to anyone who would listen. George also loved telling stories about his father who served our country during WW2 and beamed with pride every time he talked about his family, faith, and Greek ancestry.

A graduate of Chelmsford High School, Class of 1966, he then attended Suffolk University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. He went on to receive his Master of Science in Counseling from Rivier University. George was also a veteran of the United States Army Reserves, and he loved serving his country.

He met Joni on the train shortly after his mother saw a picture of her in the newspaper and told her that is the girl he would marry. As George would always say, Greek mothers are rarely wrong, and so the rest is history. He loved telling that story and cherished every moment he had with his wife Joni throughout their beautiful life together.

He spent most of his career (1975-2006) as a chemistry teacher at Billerica Memorial High School. During his summers off from work, he enjoyed some of the best times of his life traveling and making memories with his wife and two daughters. It didn’t matter to George where he was, as long as he was with family, but some of his most cherished memories included trips to Greece and several summer trips to the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

George was also a professional magician, known as “The Great Kallini”, and performed throughout the surrounding area. His favorite “gig,” however, was performing at Kathy’s and Christa’s childhood birthday parties. George was even an assistant coach for Christa’s softball teams and never missed a game or practice.

A man of numerous hobbies and interests, George was an avid Boston/New England sports fan, and loved watching all the games from his favorite place in the house: his recliner chair. Many people would joke that when they walked into George’s family room, he would be watching the games on his own little TV as he wore large headphones, while his wife and daughters dominated the main TV in the room. George would just laugh and smile, knowing if his ladies were happy, he was happy.

George also got great joy from doing projects around the house and fixing just about anything that broke. He was also a primitive archer, a skilled bow maker, avid primitive bow hunter, and a published writer in archery magazines. He enjoyed ballroom dancing with his wife, working in his yard, and organic gardening. He also enjoyed fishing and hiking and loved sharing his love for the great outdoors with his two daughters. He was an NRA Range Safety officer and a member of the Pelham Fish and Game Club, Tyngsboro Sportsman’s Club, and the White Mountain Traditional Bowhunters.

A devout Greek Orthodox Christian, George loved spending time at the Transfiguration Church in Lowell, MA and Saint Nicholas Church in Fort Pierce, FL. He was also a member of the Transfiguration choir. His family, his daughters especially, are so grateful that he instilled a deep sense of the Greek Orthodox Christian faith in them. George made sure his daughters never missed a day of Sunday School and read Bible stories to them every night before they went to bed. As adults, they witnessed his continued faith and vow to always honor his memory with a love for God, and love for others—just as George lived.

George is survived by his wife Joan M. (Mavrogianis) Tsoukalas and daughters Katherine and Christa, as well as Christa’s husband, Mark Danisewicz. Also surviving George are his brother, Steven, and Steven’s wife, Sandra Richter, as well as his sisters-in-law, Cynthia (Brooks) Tsoukalas, Carolyn (Mavrogianis) Saxonis and her husband, Nick, and Cynthia Purdis.

In addition to his parents, George is predeceased by his brother, Spiro Tsoukalas.

Friends may call at the PELHAM FUNERAL HOME 11 NASHUA RD. in PELHAM on Thursday, April 6, 2023, from 3 to 7 P.M. His Funeral Service will be held at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell, MA on Friday morning, April 7, 2023, at 10 o’clock. (Please meet at church). E-condolences/directions at www.pelhamfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 25 John Sarantos Way, Lowell, MA 01854. Arrangements by Funeral Director James F. O’Donnell, Jr. (603) 635-3333.

Great obit. Thanks Jim.

I found George a big asset to this site over the ~`two decades I have been here. His selfbow selfarrow skills, extensive 'build it/make it' site were referenced many times by myself. Couple George's positive attitude, and >total lack< of know it all arrogance, and snotty argumentative grouchiness, was a REAL big plus here.

I never read a post that George had written with negative language towards the poster…the World has lost a Good Man…My Condolences to Jawges Family and Friends…Rest Well Bowhunter…4finger

That is one beautiful obituary, rest in peace George.

Thanks Jim for posting that.

One last time up for George.

There WILL be trees planted in remembrance of George. Thanks gents.

Thanks Bob and to all that donated and helped.

Damn what a loss. All my thoughts and prayers go out to his family

Prayers from Arizona. John

The 'wall came through on funds for trees planted in honor of George T. Good job donors.

And a special thanks once again for the great job backcounry Ken did to organize this tree memorial, and bring it to fruition. Well done Ken.

Yes. well done Ken

Prayers sent

No thanks needed for me--it was actually my privilege to pay respect to George in this way.

Thanks to those who stepped up and went way beyond the call with their donations to make the memorial tree planting possible. Special thanks to Bob, Jack, and Jeff.

Dang....sad news. I never met the man in person but communicated with him via this forum, email and phone calls over the last 20+years. Always a gentleman and a really kind soul.

RIP Jawge, may your memory be eternal...

Dang....sad news. I never met the man in person but communicated with him via this forum, email and phone calls over the last 20+years. Always a gentleman and a really kind soul.

RIP Jawge, may your memory be eternal...

George was a generous and kind family man. I respect that.

RIP George.

Very sorry for their family.

He will be missed. Prayers for family and friends.

Prayers for his family.

Prayers for Family and Friends

George was an asset to this site. He walked the talk. George got me started making wood arrows from scratch. Thanks again George.

A life well lived. We will miss you, George.

I found myself rooting for the Red Sox last week. That should tell you what kind of impact he has. :) A great human being and I'm so glad I got to meet and spend some time with him.

I found myself rooting for the Red Sox last week. That should tell you what kind of impact he has. :) A great human being and I'm so glad I got to meet and spend some time with him.

Yes, he was. Unflappable, affable, smart. Cool, calm, collected. lol A wealth of experience on his 'do it' site. Hand made selfbows and arrows. Hand made weaponry. It just doesn't get any better.

My condolences and prayers to his family and friends.

RIP Jawge! Prayers for his friends and family. God bless!

Sad news indeed. What wonderful posts and insights George had. He will be sincerely missed. Prayers for Jawge, his family and Loved ones. Blessings! Malia and Michael (MT)

Missed this earlier, so sorry to hear, RIP Jawge...

Praying for family !

RIP George, just saw this. Any great man has gone before us.

Should read, another great.

I don’t know how Jawge started into the making of selfbows. But what I do know is he would answer questions tirelessly. He shared his knowledge of Selfbows with anyone that wanted to know. I enjoyed his posts as well. He will surely be missed on the wall. Prayers sent for family and friends. Rest in peace George.

I also saw that George posted on PaleoPlanet.

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