George Paraskevaides facts for kids
George Paraskevaides (born 1916 – died December 5, 2007) was a kind and successful businessman from Cyprus. He was known for building many important projects around the world. George Paraskevaides also used his wealth to help others. He was one of the people who started the big construction company Joannou & Paraskevaides, often called J&P.
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Early Life and Learning
George Paraskevaides was born in Athens, Greece, in 1916. When he was very young, his family moved to Cyprus. He loved to learn about buildings. So, he went to study architecture at a famous school in Italy, called Politecnico di Milano.
Building a Business Empire
After World War II ended, George Paraskevaides teamed up with his friend, Stelios Ioannou. Together, they created the company Joannou & Paraskevaides, or J&P. This company grew very quickly. It became a huge construction company. They built many projects in places like Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. J&P was a very important company for many years.
Helping Others with Generosity
George Paraskevaides was not just a successful businessman. He was also a very generous person. He cared deeply about helping people. For example, he helped build a special center in Nicosia, Cyprus, where people could get organ transplants. He also paid for children to travel to the United States to get important medical treatments. His kindness made a big difference in many lives.
Awards and Honors
Because of his amazing work in business and his big heart for helping others, George Paraskevaides received many special awards. Queen Elizabeth II honored him by making him a member of the Order of the British Empire. This is a very important award from the United Kingdom. He also received the Saint Marcus Medal from the Vatican, which is another high honor.
Later Years
George Paraskevaides passed away on December 5, 2007. He was 91 years old. He died in London, England, at a place called the London Clinic. He left behind a legacy of great buildings and even greater kindness.
