NEOFOTISTOS, ANGELLA
DRACUT, MA (from the Lowell Sun, published on Mar. 13) – Angella (Mellious) Neofotistos, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 11, 2019 at her home with her family by her side. For 58 years she was the beloved wife of the late Stavros “Steve” Neofotistos who passed away June 22, 2018. She was born in Kalamata, Greece, a daughter of the late Nikitas and Christina (Stathopoulos) Mellious. Angie immigrated to the United States in 1956 where she worked as a seamstress. She was a longtime resident of Dracut where she and her husband owned and operated Pete’s Grain for many years. Angie was a member and volunteered much of her time at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell. She enjoyed cooking and baking many of her special dishes and created many handcrafted items for events and fundraisers for the church. She was a member of the Daughters of Penelope and the Ladies Philoptochos Society. Angie was a loving and kind mother and a good friend to all who knew and met her. She is survived by her daughter, Anna Neofotistos and son, Louis Neofotistos, both of Dracut; a sister, Anna Kolovos of Greece; a brother-in-law, Christopher Neofotistos; sister-in- law, Georgia Neofotistos; a brother-in-law, Charles Booras; her godsons, Louis Neofotistos and Dimitri Jouvelis of Greece; also many nieces and nephews and a dear family friend, Chris. She was the mother of the late Peter and Nikitas Neofotistos and sister of the late Athanasia Jouvelis, Maria Kondiche, and George and Louis Mellious. Her Funeral Service was held at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Lowell. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Holy Trinity Church, 62 Lewis St., Lowell, Ma. 01854. To share your thoughts and memories of Angie, please visit www.laurinfuneralhome.com.
PETRIDES, FEDON
JUPITER, FL (from The Palm Beach Post, published on Mar. 13) – Fedon Nicholas Petrides, age 89, of Jupiter, Florida, and Waterloo, Iowa died in the care of TrustBridge Hospice in Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center on March 12, 2019. Survived by his wife of 25 years, Pat, his former wife Florence Petrides, their daughter Dr. Eugenia “Jean” Pallotto, son-in-law, Terry Pallotto, and grandchildren Isabella, Nicholas, and Jonathan. Predeceased by his parents, sister, and beloved Aunt Katie. Fedon was born in Constantinople on February 13, 1930 to Greek parents Nicholas and Eugenia Petrides who were part of a Greek shipping family. He spent his early life in Greece, France, and Constantinople. His grade school to high school education was in French schools. He completed Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil Engineering, Hydrogeology, and Mathematics and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at Istanbul Technical University prior to emigrating to the United States in 1958. He was hired by Robert L Brice & Associates in Waterloo, Iowa where he became Partner in 1963. Fedon fell in love with Waterloo and Iowa because of the friendships and community spirit he experienced. He completed his PhD coursework at the University of Iowa. Following the death of his partner in 1967, he became the sole owner, building the business into a major engineering firm. He directed the engineering and planning of many major transportation, airport, structural and hydraulic projects. In 1983, his firm merged with Donohue & Associates of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Fedon served his community as a member of many state and community organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, the Waterloo Industrial Development Association, and the State Aeronautics committee. His greatest involvement was as Chairman of the Board of Schoitz Hospital, and, during his time, the two local medical centers merged to become Covenant Medical Center. His service to the two hospitals spanned 35 years. He was a member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Waterloo, Iowa for almost 60 years. Fedon’s professional and community work was acknowledged by numerous awards including the Donohue Award of Management Excellence, The Distinguished Service Award from the Northeast Chapter of the Iowa Engineering Society, Engineer of Distinction by the American Association of Engineering Societies, and the Award for Valuable and Devoted Service to the City of Waterloo, Iowa. In 1996, he retired and began enjoying his little slice of paradise in the Florida home he acquired in 1979 in the community of Jonathan’s Landing he loved so much. He became an avid, talented oil painter with his paintings receiving many local honors. They will forever be cherished by his family and will continue to decorate our lives. He was on the board of the Jonathan’s Landing Yacht Club and served as the Commodore from 2002-2003. The lasting friendships and most memorable trips he and Pat cherished involved the Yacht Club. On February 9, 2019 he had his last dance at the Commodore Ball. The funeral service was conducted at the Aycock Funeral home by Father Andrew from Saint John Chrysostom Greek Orthodox Church of Martin County on March 16. Please send memorials to J.L. Cares 16823 Captain Kirle Drive, Jupiter, Florida 33477 or St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 613 West Fourth Street, Waterloo, Iowa 50702.
SMITH, KRISTINE
VALPARAISO, IN (from the Northwest Indiana Times, published on Feb. 27) – Kristine Angela Smith (nee Coveris), age 72, of Valparaiso, passed away on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at University of Chicago Medicine. Kristine is survived by her children: Nicholas (Tiffany) Smith, Christopher (Cindy) Smith, Marika “Margaret” (Jordan) Pierson, Samuel (Vanessa) Coveris; grandchildren: Collin, Caden, Kendall, Bryce and Theo; brothers: Dean (Shawn) Coveris and George Coveris; nieces: Meredith (Anthony) Mansch and Kaitlin Coveris; numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins; and husband: Kendall G. Smith. Kristine was preceded in death by her parents: Stamatios and Mary Coveris. Kristine was a graduate of Merrillville High School – Class of 1964. She received her Nursing Degree from Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s, working as Head Nurse of ICU. She continued her education to receive her Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Degree from the University of Michigan. Kristine was the Past State President of AANA – American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and served on the Scholarship Board. She was an active member of Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, previously serving as camp nurse at Fanari camp in Wisconsin and at Ionian Village in the Peloponnese of Greece. Kristine was friends to some, but family to everyone – she will be greatly missed on this Earth. Funeral Services were held on Friday, March 1 at Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Merrillville, IN with Fr. Ted Poteres and Fr. George Pappas officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Kristine’s name to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (www.netrf.orgonate). Sign Kristine’s online guestbook and view directions at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com – (219) 769-3322.
STAMATIS, NICK
AMHERST, OH (from The Plain Dealer, published on Feb. 27) – Nick Stamatis, age 87, of Amherst passed away Monday, February 25, 2019. He was born on September 20, 1931 in Hostia, Greece to John and Venita Stamatis. In 1951, at the age of 20, he immigrated to the United States. Nick worked at U.S. Steel as a crane operator in the Lorain 3 Seamless Pipe Division for 19 years. Upon leaving U.S. Steel, he and his wife Coula, opened Casey’s Drive-In of Lorain where they worked side by side for nearly 20 years. Nick was a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. He served on the Parish Council, was President of AHEPA Chapter 144, and also President of the St. Nicholas Senior Group. He enjoyed his daily coffee gatherings with his friends at McDonalds and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. With a real skillset to fix almost anything, he was an avid do-it-your-selfer with a genuine love for carpentry. Nick is survived by his children, John (Fay) Stamatis, Bonnie (Tim) Uhr, Peter (Rene) Stamatis, and Sam Stamatis; grandchildren, Nick, Peter, Alex, and Nicholas. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 34 years, Coula, in 1990 and brother, Seraphim Stamatis. funeral service was held at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of Lorain, Ohio. Rev. Michael C. Gulgas, Pastor, officiated. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in memory of Nick Stamatis to the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of Lorain. Online condolences may be left for the family at: www.dovinreberjones.com.
STATHIS, DEMETRIOS
ST. JOHN, IN (from the Northwest Indiana Times, published on Mar. 3) – Demetrios Stathis, age 61, of St. John, born and raised in Athens, Greece, passed away February 19, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of Janina Stathis (nee Wyrostek) for 38 years. Loving father of Panagiotis (Sarah Lidster) Stathis and AnnaMaria (Chase Dunlop) Stathis. Dearest brother of Aristotelis (Marina) Stathis. Closest friends of Andreas Glastras, Triantafylli Panagi, and Stelios Kouvelis. Loved by many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. Demetrios is also survived by his loving dog Foxy Lady. He is preceded in death by his parents Panagiotis and Maria Stathis and his former wife Deborah Ann Stathis. He will always be remembered for his love for his family, and passion for the outdoors, traveling, spontaneous road trips, stories, sense of humor, jokes, spending time with family and friends, fixing anything, his garage, selflessly helping others, being proud of his Greek heritage, and his infectious smile and laugh. Memorial will be held privately. Arrangements entrusted to Elmwood Funeral Chapel, St. John, IN. For more information 219-365-3474 or www.elmwoodchapel.com.
STEFANOU, CONSTANTINE
HONEOYE FALLS, NY (from the Rochester Democrat And Chronicle, published on Feb. 27) – Constantine “Gus” Stefanou passed away on February 22, 2019. Gus was a kind gentleman, loving husband, father and papou (grandfather), who always put family first. With his drive, determination, respect for others and integrity, Gus was provided the opportunity to share a beautiful life with his wife and five children. Gus could be found cheering on his children, then the grandchildren at their soccer, baseball, and hockey games or track meets, listening to his children and grandchildren performing around the piano for family concerts, playing their instruments at school concerts or performing a capella in college. Papou’s garden drew many a fan each summer as it was a family affair to ready, plant, tend, and finally harvest the crop from an amazing planting of over 100 pepper, cucumber, and tomato plants. He was born in Drosopigi, Greece and seized the opportunity to come to the United States in the early 1950’s through a sponsorship from AHEPA, of which he was recognized as a Life Member for over 50 years of service and dedication to the organization. Self-educated in his early years and driven throughout his life, Gus built very successful businesses in building construction, commercial/residential real estate, and insurance. Gus is a 1957 graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Building Construction. He was very active in the real estate community. Gus earned his Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation and served as President of the New York State CCIM Chapter. He also served as President of the Commercial and Investment Division for the New York State Association of Realtors and held Emeritus member status with the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors. Along with his business accomplishments, he was a very active member and benefactor of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, serving on the Parish Council multiple terms, including in the capacity as Parish Council President. Gus is predeceased by his loving spouse of 57 years, Florence; his parents, Dimitrios and Kleonicki Stefanou; and brother-in-law Spiro Mitrousidis. He is survived by his children, Elaine (Jerry) Sackleh, Christine (Geoff) Perry, Stephanie (Adam) Templeton, Anastasia (Walter) Turek, Dimitri (Maja) Stefanou; 11 grandchildren, Demetra, Anastasia, Sophia, Olivia, Athena, Jonathan, Nicholas, Emma, Ava, Constantine, Hudson; brother, Damianos (Petroula) Stefanou; sisters, Agora Mitrousidis, Mary (George) Tegas and many other family members. The funeral service was held on Saturday 1 PM at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation and he was interred at White Haven Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Gus to Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit – Friends of the Metropolis Fund, 2560 Crooks Rd., Troy, MI 48084. To share a memory of Constantine or send a condolence to the family visit www.anthonychapels.com. Gus’ bright blue eyes, heart-warming smiles, big hugs, and soft spoken demeanor are truly missed. May His Memory Be Eternal.
YOUNG, MARY
SAN LEANDRO, CA (from the East Bay Times, published on Mar. 13) – Mary P. Young, August 6, 1933-March 10, 2019, resident of San Leandro, beloved wife, mother, Yiayia and Thia, Maria Patrikiou Young, born August 6, 1933 on the island of Kalamos, Greece, died March 10, 2019 In Castro Valley. Predeceased by her beloved husband of 60 years, George Geronikakis Young. Survived by her daughters Stamatula (Yannis) Sgouros and Anastasia (Dan) Gellepes, Grandchildren Angelo (Lainie), Christina Sgouros, Constantine and Maria Gellepes, Great Grandsons Alexander, Daniel and Yannakis, brothers Pete (Elleni), Spiro (Nitsa) and sister Hermioni and numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral was held March at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Resurrection in Castro Valley. Contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be greatly appreciated in lieu of flowers.