Nafi Veli                         or           George Veliu

May 6, 1941                                  May 6, 1942

Services for Nafi Veli (George Veliu), 82, of Ada are 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 28, 2023 at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Criswell Funeral Home.

Mr. Veliu passed away Sunday, September 24, 2023 at his home. He was born May 6, 1941 or May 6, 1942 at Calabria, Italy.

George was married in Italy, to the mother of his children, Xhevrije, she was a wonderful woman who took care of his family and him. She preceded him in death and is buried in Skopje, Macedonia.

In Italy, he was a pizza maker and baker. After Xhevrije's passing, George decided to try to start over in America. George came to the U.S. in the late 80's, arrived in the U. S. speaking almost no English. When asked his name no one could understand or pronounce Nafi, so he told them George. When asked how it was spelled he didn't know, and told them "like President". He first lived in Dallas where he worked at Brother's Pizza. He moved to San Antonio, and then moved back to Dallas where he opened his own Pizza place in downtown. He moved to Ada and opened the Italian Villa, which he ran for seven years. Gay and George met and decided to get married and open a restaurant together, Papa Gjorgjo's.

He married Gay Harrison October 1, 2000 in Ada. George could be found making pizzas for much of the day, and joking with customers.

When he wasn't making pizzas, he could often be found in the Martini Bar having liquid libations with other friends.

Survivors include his wife, Gay, of the home; his children and bonus children, Bella and her husband, Pasquale Kadriu in Italy, Gina and her husband Isen Beshiri in Germany, Tony Veliu of Ada, OK,  Merlinda and her husband Ljazim Mustafi in Ada, OK, Robert Lang and his wife Stay in Texas, Charles and his wife Stacey Lang in Arizona; grandchildren and bonus grandchildren, Agron, Rexhije,  Aziz, Zil Fija, Visari, Albina, Arbrisha, Sara, Kelmend, Angelina, Aidan, Adrianna, Jack and Blake; great-grandchildren and bonus greats, Elona, Linda, Samira, Edi, Edind, Enis, Ilirian and Charles.

He was preceded in death by his parents: mother, Vaide and father, Ismail Veliu; a brother and sister; and his first wife, Xhevrije.

George would say…"Can't believe best I never had"; "Veronica come take me home"; "Why you bring this guy, no bus station"; "good-bye party".

The party is over