In memory of
George Petrov Georgiev
May 1, 1937 - July 14, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of George Petrov Georgiev — a beloved father, grandfather, and friend — who died peacefully at home in his own bed on July 14, 2026, at 8:00 pm, at the age of 89. He was surrounded by his family — Vesselina, Dimitar, Emily, and Krasimira — as he took his last breath.
George was born on May 1, 1937, in Sofia, Bulgaria, and spent most of his life there, though his work took him travelling to countries around the world. For over 50 years, he worked at the Bulgarian Academy of Science — a career and a place he remained devoted to even after his official retirement. In 2017, he moved permanently to Canada, dividing his time between Sofia and Toronto: Sofia was home because of the lifelong friends he never stopped supporting, right through to their final days; Toronto was home because of the family he cherished — his children, his grandchildren, and Krasimira, his ex-wife, who remained at his side until the end. Of his childhood friends, only one remains. To him, George's parting words were: “Приятелю, пази се и се грижи за здравето си.”
George worked hard all his life, driven by a determination to give his family the best. He and Krasimira built their family together on an old-fashioned understanding: he worked, she ran the household, and together they made it work. He treasured the daily family trips they took together when Vesselina and Dimitar were young, especially the summer weekends outside the city. Later in life, he often said that everything he felt he'd missed with Vesselina and Dimitar — lost to years of work and rushing — he was determined to make up for with his grandchildren, Emily, Denis, and Michael.
Those who knew George remember a man with a sharp mind and a sharp sense of humour, who could find something to laugh about even in the hardest moments. He was endlessly supportive, always the first to help, and never one to give up — on himself or on the people he loved. He projected toughness, but underneath it he was deeply sensitive, generous, and, in his own often unconventional way, deeply loving. He was stubborn. He was a builder. He was a provider. And he never stopped fighting.
Painting was one of George's great passions — an entire wall in the family's Toronto home, where he lived with his daughter Vesselina and granddaughter Emily, is dedicated to his work. He also loved music, especially classical, and was a devoted fan of André Rieu.
That fight defined his final years. George first beat cancer in 2018, staying positive and certain he would recover — and he did. In 2024, he was diagnosed with a different type of cancer, and he faced it the same way: with resolve and bravery. He came through a long and difficult surgery, only for the disease to return a year later and spread. Even then, he refused to let go of his routines or his optimism, rarely complaining, even as the pain grew severe.
What carried him through those final months was his family. His dream was to watch his granddaughter Emily graduate university from her Nursing Science program in June — and though he was too unwell to attend in person, he watched her ceremony live-streamed, start to finish. He knew he wouldn't live to see his grandsons Denis and Michael graduate school or start university, but he made sure to see them both one last time before the end. He was also happy to see his daughter-in-law Roumyana for a heartfelt final goodbye.
Knowing that the end was coming, he faced it with unbelievable strength and bravery. He kept joking that soon he would take Elon Musk's rocket and go to the moon.
A few days before the end, he gathered the strength to say something to his daughter Vesselina, with whom he was living — words she will carry with her always:
“Ще си отида от този свят щастлив и удовлетворен, защото вие двамата с брат ви успяхте в живота и сте едни прекрасни родители. Щастлив съм, че имам чудесни внуци, с които можах да прекарам незабравими моменти на радост и които винаги ще помня. Щастлив съм, че дочаках да видя Емили да завърши университет. За съжаление няма да мога да видя Денис и Майкъл да завършат училище, но ще съм мислено с тях. Пазете се, обичайте се, грижете се един за друг. Също грижете се за майка си, на която пожелавам да ожени Емили и да дочака завършването на университета на Денис и Майкъл. Обичам ви всички.”
“I will leave this world happy and fulfilled, because you and your brother have succeeded in life and are wonderful parents. I am happy that I have wonderful grandchildren, with whom I was able to spend unforgettable moments of joy and whom I will always remember. I am happy that I lived to see Emily graduate university. Unfortunately, I won't be able to see Denis and Michael finish school, but I will be with them in thought. Take care of yourselves, love each other, look after one another. Also take care of your mother — I wish for her to see Emily married and to live to see Denis and Michael finish university. I love you all”
George is survived by his children, Vesselina and Dimitar; his grandchildren, Emily, Denis, and Michael; and Krasimira, who — despite the different paths their lives had taken — never left him. Vesselina, Dimitar, Emily, and Krasimira were by his side at the very end. His daughter Vesselina held his hand, and his son Dimitar gently touched his hair, until his last breath.
The cancer took his body but did not take his spirit.
He will be remembered, always, as a father who gave everything he had, a grandfather who cherished every moment with his grandchildren, and a friend who never let go of anyone he loved. He leaves behind a family forever changed by his love — and forever grateful for it.
With love, Vesselina, Dimitar, Emily and family
George was born on May 1, 1937, in Sofia, Bulgaria, and spent most of his life there, though his work took him travelling to countries around the world. For over 50 years, he worked at the Bulgarian Academy of Science — a career and a place he remained devoted to even after his official retirement. In 2017, he moved permanently to Canada, dividing his time between Sofia and Toronto: Sofia was home because of the lifelong friends he never stopped supporting, right through to their final days; Toronto was home because of the family he cherished — his children, his grandchildren, and Krasimira, his ex-wife, who remained at his side until the end. Of his childhood friends, only one remains. To him, George's parting words were: “Приятелю, пази се и се грижи за здравето си.”
George worked hard all his life, driven by a determination to give his family the best. He and Krasimira built their family together on an old-fashioned understanding: he worked, she ran the household, and together they made it work. He treasured the daily family trips they took together when Vesselina and Dimitar were young, especially the summer weekends outside the city. Later in life, he often said that everything he felt he'd missed with Vesselina and Dimitar — lost to years of work and rushing — he was determined to make up for with his grandchildren, Emily, Denis, and Michael.
Those who knew George remember a man with a sharp mind and a sharp sense of humour, who could find something to laugh about even in the hardest moments. He was endlessly supportive, always the first to help, and never one to give up — on himself or on the people he loved. He projected toughness, but underneath it he was deeply sensitive, generous, and, in his own often unconventional way, deeply loving. He was stubborn. He was a builder. He was a provider. And he never stopped fighting.
Painting was one of George's great passions — an entire wall in the family's Toronto home, where he lived with his daughter Vesselina and granddaughter Emily, is dedicated to his work. He also loved music, especially classical, and was a devoted fan of André Rieu.
That fight defined his final years. George first beat cancer in 2018, staying positive and certain he would recover — and he did. In 2024, he was diagnosed with a different type of cancer, and he faced it the same way: with resolve and bravery. He came through a long and difficult surgery, only for the disease to return a year later and spread. Even then, he refused to let go of his routines or his optimism, rarely complaining, even as the pain grew severe.
What carried him through those final months was his family. His dream was to watch his granddaughter Emily graduate university from her Nursing Science program in June — and though he was too unwell to attend in person, he watched her ceremony live-streamed, start to finish. He knew he wouldn't live to see his grandsons Denis and Michael graduate school or start university, but he made sure to see them both one last time before the end. He was also happy to see his daughter-in-law Roumyana for a heartfelt final goodbye.
Knowing that the end was coming, he faced it with unbelievable strength and bravery. He kept joking that soon he would take Elon Musk's rocket and go to the moon.
A few days before the end, he gathered the strength to say something to his daughter Vesselina, with whom he was living — words she will carry with her always:
“Ще си отида от този свят щастлив и удовлетворен, защото вие двамата с брат ви успяхте в живота и сте едни прекрасни родители. Щастлив съм, че имам чудесни внуци, с които можах да прекарам незабравими моменти на радост и които винаги ще помня. Щастлив съм, че дочаках да видя Емили да завърши университет. За съжаление няма да мога да видя Денис и Майкъл да завършат училище, но ще съм мислено с тях. Пазете се, обичайте се, грижете се един за друг. Също грижете се за майка си, на която пожелавам да ожени Емили и да дочака завършването на университета на Денис и Майкъл. Обичам ви всички.”
“I will leave this world happy and fulfilled, because you and your brother have succeeded in life and are wonderful parents. I am happy that I have wonderful grandchildren, with whom I was able to spend unforgettable moments of joy and whom I will always remember. I am happy that I lived to see Emily graduate university. Unfortunately, I won't be able to see Denis and Michael finish school, but I will be with them in thought. Take care of yourselves, love each other, look after one another. Also take care of your mother — I wish for her to see Emily married and to live to see Denis and Michael finish university. I love you all”
George is survived by his children, Vesselina and Dimitar; his grandchildren, Emily, Denis, and Michael; and Krasimira, who — despite the different paths their lives had taken — never left him. Vesselina, Dimitar, Emily, and Krasimira were by his side at the very end. His daughter Vesselina held his hand, and his son Dimitar gently touched his hair, until his last breath.
The cancer took his body but did not take his spirit.
He will be remembered, always, as a father who gave everything he had, a grandfather who cherished every moment with his grandchildren, and a friend who never let go of anyone he loved. He leaves behind a family forever changed by his love — and forever grateful for it.
With love, Vesselina, Dimitar, Emily and family