Honoring George “Georgio” Sheklian
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George "Georgio" Sheklian owns Georgio’s and Son, Sierra Shoe Repair in a strip mall at 6567 N. Blackstone Avenue Fresno, CA 93710 just north of Sierra Avenue. He has been in business since 1963.
He started working on shoes in 1937 as an 8-year-old in Argentina. And more than half a century ago, he set foot on American soil with just $8 in his pocket and went on to open his first shop, with help from his uncle.
Georgio had a stroke three years ago (2011) and has since had to use a feeding tube because it paralyzed part of his ability to swallow, but Georgio was still “hammering away” daily at the shoe shop and now with his son.
The father-son duo, with Georgio’s son, Arsen, 37 who also made other leather products, had also just received a manufacturing contract with a New York company to expand their business.
Georgio loved serving others he brought coffee to his shop’s neighbors every morning.
On Thursday Dec. 4th, at approx 10:32am Fresno Firearms was in the mist of being robbed at gun point. Georgio unknowingly was delivering a cup of coffee that morning at the wrong moment. Upon opening the door of the store one of the robbers violently shoved and knocked him to the ground striking his head on the pavement. George's sons Arsen and Alex ran to him. Arsen fell to his knees and softly held his father before placing a pillow under his head and wrapping his father's head with gauze. George was taken to the hospital for emergency brain surgery. The injury unfortunately left Georgio in a vegetative state. He was taken off life and has passed on Tuesday December 9th, 2014.
Once when Georgio was younger, he disarmed some robbers who accosted him on the streets of Buenos Aires. But not this time. Not at 85.
Many echoed describing him as a craftsman, warm, protective and “engaging." But mostly Georgio was known to the community as a “icon.”
Addressing the community, his son said, “Keep my dad in your prayers.”
On the Monday morning following the incident, Arsen brought coffee to his neighbors in the same manner to honor his father. “I’m helping his legacy live on,” he said.
All donations recieved will go to medical and personal expenses needed during this difficult time.
He started working on shoes in 1937 as an 8-year-old in Argentina. And more than half a century ago, he set foot on American soil with just $8 in his pocket and went on to open his first shop, with help from his uncle.
Georgio had a stroke three years ago (2011) and has since had to use a feeding tube because it paralyzed part of his ability to swallow, but Georgio was still “hammering away” daily at the shoe shop and now with his son.
The father-son duo, with Georgio’s son, Arsen, 37 who also made other leather products, had also just received a manufacturing contract with a New York company to expand their business.
Georgio loved serving others he brought coffee to his shop’s neighbors every morning.
On Thursday Dec. 4th, at approx 10:32am Fresno Firearms was in the mist of being robbed at gun point. Georgio unknowingly was delivering a cup of coffee that morning at the wrong moment. Upon opening the door of the store one of the robbers violently shoved and knocked him to the ground striking his head on the pavement. George's sons Arsen and Alex ran to him. Arsen fell to his knees and softly held his father before placing a pillow under his head and wrapping his father's head with gauze. George was taken to the hospital for emergency brain surgery. The injury unfortunately left Georgio in a vegetative state. He was taken off life and has passed on Tuesday December 9th, 2014.
Once when Georgio was younger, he disarmed some robbers who accosted him on the streets of Buenos Aires. But not this time. Not at 85.
Many echoed describing him as a craftsman, warm, protective and “engaging." But mostly Georgio was known to the community as a “icon.”
Addressing the community, his son said, “Keep my dad in your prayers.”
On the Monday morning following the incident, Arsen brought coffee to his neighbors in the same manner to honor his father. “I’m helping his legacy live on,” he said.
All donations recieved will go to medical and personal expenses needed during this difficult time.
Organizer
Ryan Clark
Organizer
Fresno, CA
