Alexandros (Alex) Birurakis was born Aug. 16, 1932, in (Liberty of Scotts Run) Morgantown, and although he had never married or had children, he was surrounded by many family members and his best friend and caregiver Michael Squires (who was more like a son to him) as he passed peacefully to be with the Lord Jesus Christ while at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital on Feb. 22, 2020. He was the youngest son of Panayiotis and Athena (Vezoniarakis) Birurakis, who were devoted parents and had him baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church as an infant. They preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his oldest brother, George and an infant sister, Marguerite.
Alex attended Osage junior High where he played basketball. He then attended University High School where he was active in wrestling and football. Their football team was undefeated for two of those years. He graduated from University High School in 1950. In 1953 he volunteered to be in the U.S. Army — serving in Greenland and using the GI Bill to attend WVU. While at WVU, Alex majored in mechanical engineering and graduated in June of 1959. During his high school year he worked in the summer part time at the Bureau of Mines. With his career in engineering he worked for many different companies, some of them working as a temporary employee and other jobs in permanent positions. He worked with NASA/Boeing in the development of the escape Zipline for the space capsule, he worked on the Sikorsky helicopter, the F-14 fighter and many other aircraft in his long career. When his widowed mother became terminally ill, Alex stepped out of his career to care for her and his (disabled Veteran) oldest brother. While back in the area to care for them he was curious to learn what it would be like to work in the coal mines as his father had, so he took a job working as a bolter for the coal mines for a short season of time.
Alex was a licensed pilot and at one time owned his own small airplane. He enjoyed golfing, bee keeping, collecting artwork, playing the guitar, traveling to Greece to connect with family there. At one time Alex had been a property owner and landlord. Through the years he enjoyed making life fun, adventurous and interesting for his nephews and nieces.
Alex is survived by his brother Louis B. Birurakis, of Morgantown; his sister, Angelean Ward, of Albuquerque, N.M.; and his brother, William (Joann) Birurakis, of Charleston. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces and great-nephews and nieces.
A memorial celebration of Alex’s life will be held at a later date the Storehouse of God at 145 Bertha Hill Road, Maidsville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Meals on Wheels 3375 University Ave., Morgantown, WV 26505, Scotts Run Community Park and Recreation c/o Louis Birurakis at 435 Cobun Ave., Morgantown, WV 26501 or Mt. Calvary AOG Church 403 Schley St. Morgantown, WV 25501, where he last attended and received Jesus Christ as his Savior.
