George Erotokritos Galiachatos, a pillar of the local business community, has passed away at the age of 89. He was the longtime owner of The Lincoln Charcoal Inn in Wheaton, MD, a beloved local landmark for many years and one of the first restaurants in Maryland to feature indoor charcoal cooking.
Born on April 29, 1936, in Kefalonia, Greece, George’s life was a testament to resilience and the pursuit of the American dream. He grew up during a period of immense hardship, witnessing the devastation of war and a massive earthquake in 1953. After proudly serving in the Greek Army, he came to the United States in 1961 at the age of 25 with little more than a fourth-grade education and a fierce determination to succeed.
Through grit, vision, and an unshakable work ethic, George built a life of remarkable success from the ground up. He began his career as a dishwasher in a Washington, D.C. restaurant before founding The Lincoln Charcoal Inn. The restaurant was a local favorite for its innovative use of indoor charcoal, and sixty years later, George was still bragging about his famous sizzling London broil.
After retiring from the restaurant business, he went on to earn his real estate license and built a thriving real estate enterprise. He often said this achievement “felt like going to college,” and his sharp instincts and tireless determination created a substantial and lasting legacy for his family.
George was preceded in death by his wife, Piye Galiachatos, with whom he shared a 60-year lifelong marriage. Their love story began in their small village in Kefalonia, where they were childhood friends. They were blessed with four children, Eva (Edward) Warburton, Ellen (Russ) Miles, Georgia (Patrick) Grover, and Eric (Nicole) Galiachatos, who were their greatest pride and joy. When Piye passed away in July 2022, she was laid to rest in Kefalonia at the cemetery that shares the small village church where they had been married.
George and Piye were known for their generosity and kindness, helping many family members and friends along the way. They sponsored relatives to come to the U.S., provided wise counsel, and offered many their first jobs or loans to buy a home or car.
In the early 2000s, George and Piye returned to their beloved island of Kefalonia to build a dream home in their birth village of Pyrgi, where they spent the last 25 summers surrounded by family, friends, and the island’s beauty.
George will be remembered for his tireless work ethic, business acumen, the lasting legacy he built, and the deep love he held for his wife. Following a Greek Orthodox funeral service, his ashes will be laid to rest in Kefalonia alongside Piye, reuniting them in the place where their love story began. A funeral service will be held at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 721 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20905, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. The family will receive visitors at 9am with a liturgy to follow at 10am. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.
