George Anthony Zaras

George Anthony Zaras, 56 of Cranberry Twp. passed away August 13, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born July, 19 1965 in Pittsburgh, PA a son of Anthony Zaras and Becky (Aivazis) Zaras of Mt. Lebanon.

George is survived by his wife Kristen (Collins) Zaras; sons, Parker and Preston and daughter Lauren; sister, Athena (Zaras) Petrolias; brother-in-law Jamie Petrolias: nephews John and Anthony Petrolias; mother-in-law Jean Collins: brother-in-law’s Kel Collins and T.C. Collins and sister-in-law Melissa (Migliaro) Collins.

George was raised in the Greek Orthodox religion and brought up in Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland.  He was proud of his Greek heritage.  He was a drummer starting at the age of 9 and continued drumming into his 50’s.  He was a permanent fixture laughing and enjoying playing his Ludwig Vistalite  Blue drum set at Greek food festivals and weddings in the area.  

George had an entrepreneurial spirit that drove him since he was a teen.  He started the Pitt Crew Team with a friend while at the University of Pittsburgh in 1988.  The team is now known as Pitt Rowing Club and is 70 members strong.  He started Aegean Isles Suntan Lotion that was carried in boutique hotels on the island of Rhodes, Greece.  In an effort to help expand tourism on the island of Rhodes, George mapped out and proposed the Roads to Rhodes Marathon that is now a permanent draw for runners from around the world, a Boston Marathon qualifier and boasts a beautiful course featuring panoramic views of the Aegean Sea for the runners.  George was in the midst of putting together a travel website to help others easily locate and book destination vacations to his beloved Greece.

On the business side, George worked at Highmark Blue Cross for 15 years prior to starting two successful insurance agencies, the 4i Benefits health insurance agency and the 4i Insurance Group property casualty firm both of which will continue to operate and serve clients.

George had an amazing gift to connect people and help others, whether that was through his various interests and businesses or through his connections with his many friends and family members.  He was known for his warm smile, being a good listener and for his easy-going, jovial, fun-loving spirit and easy laugh.  George was always smiling and was quick to tease. George loved life and all who shared time with him.

His greatest love, however, was his family.  He was fiercely committed to them and loved supporting, and spending time with them, traveling, attending his kids sporting, musical or academic events.  Family dinners, holiday celebrations or “any reason” get-togethers were most important to George.  

Friends will be received on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 from 10AM until a funeral service at 11AM in Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral 419 S. Dithridge Street in Oakland.  In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral or the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of America Foundation. Arrangements by John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com)

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