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George Nazor Avak, 88, of West Hartford and Wolcott, passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2021
at his home. Born on November 6, 1932, he was the son of the late George Avak and
Virginia (Mollis) Avak. George was born in Hartford, grew up in West Hartford, and
resided in Burlington and Wolcott.
George was a graduate of Hall High School and Bryant College. He joined the Marines
after school. Upon his return, he resumed with his band called the CT Valley Boys
where he entertained people with his beautiful voice and guitar.
In the late 50's, he became the sheriff at Cowboy Valley, a western-themed tourist town
in Killingworth. Executives from Colt Manufacturing Co. saw his gun act and asked him
to become the company's gun demonstrator. George trained at a Colt gun range and earned
the title, "Fastest Gun Alive" and "King of the Colt 45," after the company clocked
his draw at .3 seconds.
An entertainer at heart, he took his gun show all over the country and helped train
Hollywood gunslingers including Hugh O'Brien at Warner Brothers studio for many years.
He ultimately dropped the act after President John F. Kennedy was gunned down on Nov. 22, 1963.
George was a volunteer with the Tunxis Hose Company No. 1 in Unionville, played the guitar
and sang at several establishments in Connecticut including the Hotel Worthy in Unionville and
other places with juke boxes where people could listen to his records. George continued
singing and playing the guitar and made his way to Tennessee and became famous in
the country music circle in the mid 70's with his hit, "I've Loved You All Over the World."
He performed at the Grand Ole Opry alongside Dolly Parton and Tex Ritter and signed with a
recording studio in Oakville Tennessee where he produced 2 albums (LPs) and several 45's.
Living in Burlington, George had a small farm that included a beautiful Tennessee Walker
horse that he fondly called King George. He raised pheasants, goats, rabbits, chickens,
and hens. He also planted several grape vines on the property.
He entertained the kids on Savarese Lane by making a chariot out of the front end of
a model T Ford which was hitched up to his horse. He also gave rides to kids at the
Shell station on Rt. 44 in Avon. George owned a restaurant called
The Baghdad (renamed Avak's) in Bristol where he performed with his band
called "The Secrets" every Friday and Saturday night and a second restaurant
called Cozy Corner in Wolcott.
He bought a cottage on Cedar Lake in Wolcott where he lived for several years with
his kids. They were able to enjoy snowmobiling, boating, fireworks, ice skating and bon fires.
George had an incredible green thumb. He always had a large vegetable garden with several varieties
of tomatoes and a keen knack to grow any flower you can imagine. For 16 years
he traveled the state with his exotic butterfly collection which turned into a
business which his son John helped him run. George displayed exhibits from his collections
at museums and gave lectures at libraries.
Later in life, he started a landscaping and lawn cutting business until his retirement.
George was once quoted as saying, "Everything I do I love. And if I love it, I can't
leave it alone."
George continued to play the piano, guitar, and sing every single day to the delight of
his friends and family. His beautiful voice never faded. He is survived by his
four children: Vicky, Scott, John, and Krissy, his sister and brother-in-law, Gloria
and Jim Pitchell, and 2 nephews, Jay and Jeff Pitchell. George leaves 7 grandchildren;
Jacqueline, Matthew, and Brendan Connors, Alexander, Alexandria, Jack and Seth Avak.
Calling hours will be set for a later date in the spring when the flowers have bloomed,
and the earth is warm. George will be laid to rest with his parents in Cedar Hill
Cemetery in Hartford. To leave condolences, please go to Luddy-Peterson funeral home.
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