DAMOPOULOS, NICHOLA

COLUMBUS, OH (from The Columbus Dispatch,published on Feb. 24) –NicholaDamopoulos, 1926 – 2018. NicholaDamopoulos passed away February 21, 2018. Born October 16, 1926 in Kastoria, Greece to late Christ and SarafimaDamopoulos. He emigrated from Greece in 1946. Nichola is preceded in death by wife Georgia Damopoulos. He is survived by children, SarafimaDamopoulos and Gus (Reginia) Damopoulos; granddaughters, Melisa Massie, Elana (Christopher) Lenihan; great-grandchildren, Dustin and Stacey Thacker, Sophia and Lukas Lenihan; great-great-granddaughter, Madison Thacker and her mother, Emily Elliott; brother, William Damopoulos; many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held Sunday, February 25 from 2-5 pm with Trisagion service at 4:30 pm at O.R. Woodyard South Chapel, 1346 S. High St. Visitation will also be held Monday from 9:30 am until the time of funeral service at 10:30 am at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N. High St. Interment Green Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers family suggests donations to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

DEMERIS, NICK

HOUSTON, TX (from the Houston Chronicle,published on Feb. 22) – Nick Frank Demeris 1933-2018. Nick Frank Demeris left our side, but not our hearts, on Sunday, February 18, 2018, at the age of 84. He was surrounded by his family and welcomed by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. No doubt there was a huge reunion with his siblings, parents, and friends from days gone by. Born on November of 1933 in the village of Falanthi, Greece, Nick came to America in 1947 to follow his father, brother, and sister who had previously immigrated the year before. He began washing dishes in a restaurant prior to his mother and remaining brother arriving a year later. After serving in the U.S. Army, he returned to Greece to find a wife. Eleni Markopoulos and Nick Demeris were married on July 19, 1959, and so began their story in Houston. Nick found fame in the restaurant business with his siblings and father. They owned G and N Cafe, Carol’s Kitchen, Shipley’s Grill, and Demeris Barbecue. They also owned and operated Demeris Vendors. When not working, Nick could often be found playing cards at Braeburn Country Club. As a couple, Nick and Eleni spent more than 40 years in a cherished dinner group. He was an active member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral and spent countless hours volunteering at the Original Greek Festival and socializing with his friends in AHEPA. Some of his favorite memories were spent in Pirates Beach, with his family surrounding him, as well as summer trips to Greece. He was a permanent fixture at Demeris Barbecue and Charlie’s BBQ. Leaving behind to tell his many stories are his wife of 58 years, Eleni, and their four sons and wives; Fote and Cindy, Stathy and Chrissy, Yanni and Brandy, and George and Joannie. “Papouli’s” grandchildren, his greatest joy and pleasure, include Nickolas and wife Eleni, Yanni, Eleni, Caroline, Frankie, Niko, Emmy, Andrew, Fote, Alexander, and Stefano. He is also survived by his brother Jimmy and wife Lynn, his sister-in-laws Maria Demeris, Pipitsa Stamos, and Thalia and John Leonard, and mother-in-law, Georgia Markopoulos. He is also survived by over a dozen nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Angeliki and Frank Anastasios Demeris, brother Gus, sister Georgia DemerisVlahakos, his father-in-law Efstathios Markopoulos, and his grandson John Nick Demeris, Jr. Serving as pallbearers are grandsons Nickolas Demeris, YanniDemeris, Niko Demeris, Andrew Demeris, Fote G. Demeris, Alexander Demeris, and Stefano Demeris, along with his Godsons Jack Molho, Michael Voinis, and Dimitri Payavla. Honorary pallbearers are Jamie G. Demeris, Frank G. Vlahakos, George B. Vlahakos, Nick Leonard, and Yannis Gianaris. The family would like to thank Father Dimitri Tagaropulos for all of the time and attention he has shown our family. Nick enjoyed life to the fullest, and we will celebrate him at a visitation on Friday, February 23, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church, 1100 Eldridge Parkway, with Trisagion prayers. The funeral service will follow immediately at 10:30 a.m. with Father Michael J. Lambakis from The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Park Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer. All are invited to join the family for a Makaria Luncheon at St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Benevolent Fund.

FOGLIA, ANNE

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (from the Sun-Sentinel,published on Feb. 21)– Anne (Anastasia) Foglia passed away peacefully on January 31 at the tender age of 94. The daughter of the late Ernest and Fanny Cotjanle, immigrants from Greece, Anne spoke fluent Greek and grew up in a loving family. Born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut she married Peter Angelo Foglia when he returned from service in the Navy after WWII. They moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1947, when the area had a population of only 30,000. She would tell stories  for the rest of her life about how hot it was in their small wooden house, as air conditioning had not yet been invented, how she shopped with the Seminoles on Wednesdays at the grocery store and how she watched the city grow with pride. As the wife of Peter and mother of three children she was the typical “Leave it to Beaver” 1950’s mother: homemaker, Girl Scout troop leader, good neighbor and loyal daughter and sister. But what her children remember most is that she was home every day when they arrived from school, snacks ready! She always found time to be an active school room mom, organized the neighborhood pool parties and bike parades on holidays. She was an incredible cook and loved to cook for those she loved. She was a talented seamstress and worked for a famous wedding dress designer in New York prior to marriage. Her daughters did not inherit their mother’s gift for sewing so she was known to finish their Home Ec sewing projects and made all their special occasion and prom dresses. Anne (known as Mimi to her grandchildren) was an avid reader of fiction and read two newspapers a day. She learned to play bridge late in life and would use the computer to send her grandchildren messages and e-cards for every conceivable holiday.  Her family said she had an AAD degree (Almost A Doctor)- when not feeling well, every member would call Mimi before their GP for a diagnosis.  When it came to sports no one in the family was a greater baseball fan. She knew all the players in the leagues, team standings and would eagerly await the start of the season every April, usually with a strong point of view regarding her precious Marlins and the owner’s decisions to sell talented players. Our father reminded us children often  that our mother played a very significant role in keeping our family together, the living embodiment of the protective Leo that she was,  always with open arms and a great confidant.   Anne was devoted to her late husband, Peter, who died in 1998. She is survived by daughters Alice Jackson and her husband Mike, Adrianne Foglia and daughter in law Mary Foglia. But her six grandchildren may miss her most, all of whom she loved dearly and in turn they were devoted to her: Michael Lucia, Nicolas Moreno, Kristina Lucia, Natalia Moreno, Alexandra and Christopher Foglia. Their memories of their Mimi’s cooking and hours of patiently reading to them, plus trips to the Swap Shop Circus (and other indulgences) fill their lives. But their memories of the summers spent in Connecticut and Maine with their grandparents will forever fill their hearts. She lost her son Peter two years ago and never recovered from that pain. She is survived by nephews and her sister in law Rosemary Lemley, who knew Anne for 89 years. And a special mention to Paula Stephanis, her friend and neighbor for 55 years and Mary Mullen who adopted Anne after her own Mother passed away. The family wishes to thank her wonderful caregivers who provided Mimi with love, support and companionship these last two years and would also like to thank Vitas Hospice for making her last days at home comfortable and peaceful. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 24th at 10 am at the Assumption Catholic Church, 2001 South Ocean Blvd. Pompano Beach, FL 33062. Peter Foglia donated the land to the Catholic Church in 1953 when he developed Bel Air. Her family asks that in lieu of flowers that a donation be made to Broward County United Way Reading Pals Program (www.Unitedway.org; 1300 S. Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, 33316) or to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrf.org.) 60 E. 56th St, 8th floor, New York, NY 10022.

GANIKON, THEODORA

PALM COAST, FL (from the Daytona Beach News-Journal,published on Feb. 22) – Theodora Ganikon of Palm Coast, FL, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 21st at the age of 90. She was born in Thessaloniki, Greece to Angelo and Marika Pantelis. Theodora was preceded in death by her beloved husband John, of 62 years. Prior to moving to Florida with her husband in 1979, she was employed by Western Electric Corporation in Reading Pennsylvania. Theodora is survived by her four children, daughter Mary and husband Lee Papadeas, sons Michael of Palm Coast, FL, Gregory and wife Linda of Reading, PA, and son Mark from Washington State. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 129 North Halifax Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118 on Friday, February 23rd. Burial will follow at Daytona Memorial Park. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the church.

KATSAROS, SOPHIA

MAGNOLIA, NJ (from the Courier-Post, published on Feb. 22) – Sophia Katsaros (nee Kostas), on February 19, 2018, of Magnolia NJ. Age 78. Beloved wife of the late Athanasios ‘Tommy’ P. Katsaros. Loving mother of Pete Katsaros (Deanne), Dr. PolixeniKatsaros (Joanne Casale) and JohnleeKatsaros (Eileen). Dearly loved grandmother of Tommy, Athan, Emily, Danielle and Joseph. Dear sister of Konstantinos ‘Gus’ Kostas, Nick Kostas and the late Angelo Kostas. She is also survived by many loving family members and friends. Sophia was born and raised in Kimi, Evia, Greece and came to the United States in 1955. She lived in Hightstown where she and her husband raised their family and owned and operated Sophia’s Hair Salon until moving to Magnolia in 2001. Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing on Thursday from 7-9pm at the Bradley Funeral Home Rt. 73 and Evesham Rd. Marlton. A Funeral Service will be held Friday at 10:30am at the St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church 615 Mercer St. Cherry Hill. Burial to follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hightstown NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sophia’s memory to St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church 615 Mercer Street Cherry Hill NJ 08002.

LONGOS, JULIE

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL (from the Belleville News-Democrat, published on Feb. 21) – Presbytera Julia G. (Xanthakis) Longos, 88, born, November 15, 1929, in Kalamata, Greece, passed away, Sunday, February 18, 2018, in Edwardsville, Illinois at Rosewood Care Center with her loving family by her side. Julia was a true jewel to all who knew and loved her. She was born in Greece and loved to visit home as often as she could. She was a virtuous woman of faith and became deeply rooted in the Greek Orthodox Church. She married the love of her life, Rev. George J. Longos and this beautiful union brought two sons, John and Alex. Julia served numerous Greek Orthodox communities across the country alongside her husband until his passing. She was instrumental and vital to church organizations and supportive of the church in every way. She sung in the choir and served as a member of the Philoptochos and AHEPA Societies. The church truly was her foundation and passion. Julia also enjoyed baking, especially Greek breads, knitting, sewing and spending time with her family and friends. She was a loving mother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend. She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 53 years, Rev. George J. Longos; her parents, Alexander and Vasiliki (Kokonis) Xanthakis; and her siblings; John and Voula. Surviving are her children, John G. Longos and Alex G. Longos; her siblings, Mary, Constantine, Amy and Anna; her brother-in-law; James (Donna) Longos; their children and grandchildren; and a number of dear relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the St.Constatine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Swansea, Illinois. Additional memories and condolences may be shared online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com. Visitation: Friends and family may visit from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at St Constatine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church located at 405 Huntwood Rd, Swansea Illinois, 62226. The Trisagion Service will begin at 7 p.m., during the visitation. Funeral Service: All services will be held the following day at 10 a.m., Thursday, February 22, 2018 at St Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church as well. Interment to follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Fairview Heights, Illinois. Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, IL.

NICHOLSON, CONNIE

BRENTWOOD, TN (from theTennessean, published on Feb. 23) – Connie (Kostoula) Nicholson, Age 90, Fell asleep in the Lord at her home, on February 22, 2018 surrounded by her family. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Tom (Athanasios) and survived by her daughters Katherine Vasiliades (Jason), Becky Kotsianas (John), Georgia Demetros (Nick); grandchildren Tommy Nicholson (Holly Ramey), Michael Nicholson, Matt Kotsianas (Kike), Ellie Kotsianas, Nicky, Dena and Alex Demetros and great-granchildren Phoenix, Archer and Ruby Nicholson, and many nieces, nephews and godchildren. Kostoula was born in Magoula, Greece in 1928. She immigrated to Chicago where she attended Northwestern University while working at her uncle’s store. She met and married Tom Nicholson of Tziva, Greece and began living their American Dream. After raising their three girls in Chicago, they moved the family to Nashville in 1976 where they owned and operated Nicholson Cleaners. Her customers and employees lovingly called her “Ms. Connie” where she altered clothing and offered all kinds of motherly advise. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, friend and neighbor who gave herself selflessly to those she loved. She was a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and spent most of her retirement years volunteering with Church duties. She was a pious and devout Orthodox Christian and loved God and her Church more than herself. A heartfelt Thank You to her loving caregivers Alicia Lempert and her team of angels: Jana, Mary, Cheryl, & Bailey. Visitation will be on Saturday, February 24th 2018 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN from 12:30 – 2:00pm; and Funeral service immediately following visitation at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Iconography Fund. Please visit our online obituary at www.marshalldonnellycombs.com.

PALLANTZAS, VAIOS C.

LOWELL, MA (from the Lowell Sun, published on Feb. 20) – Mr. Vaios C. Pallantzas, 92, passed away peacefully on Friday February 16th at Lowell General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Vaios was born on April 23, 1925 in Paleomonastiron Trikala, Thessalia, Greece, a son of the late Konstantinos and Agorita (Likas) Pallantzas. He was the loving husband to the late Amalia (Koufogazos) Pallantzas. Vaios was educated in Greece, where he met his wife Amalia and they married in 1961. After their marriage they came to the United States and settled in Lowell. He owned and operated the Cosmopolitan Tailor shop on Moody St. in Lowell for many years. He later went to work at Sears and Roebuck in the clothing department as a tailor up until his retirement. Vaios was a member of the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell. He is survived by his daughter, Alice McAvoy and her husband Walter, a son, Charles Pallantzas; four sisters, Helen Tsismenakis and her husband John, MarikaTsioukas, LitsaKarametou and her husband Vasilis, DemetraPatsarou and her husband Antonios; one brother, Andreas Pallantzas and his wife Popi; a sister-in-law, FoulaPallantzas; a brother-in-law, Timothy Koufogazos; and his two grandsons whom he cherished and were his pride and joys, Brent “Vaios” McAvoy whom carries his name and Andrew McAvoy whom shares his birthday; also he leaves many nieces and nephews here and in Greece. Vaios was predeceased by his brother, Elias Pallantzas. Relatives and friends will be received at the M.R.Laurin Funeral Home, 295 Pawtucket St., Lowell on Wednesday, February 21st from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. His funeral will take place on Thursday at 9am at the Funeral Home to be followed by a service at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell at 10:00am. Interment will follow in Westlawn Cemetery, Lowell. Inlieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Transfiguration Church, Fr. Sarantos Way, Lowell, MA. 01854. Funeral arrangements under the direction of directors, Louis M. Fazio III, M.Richard Laurin, and Scott Laurin. For condolences or directions, please go to www.laurinfuneralhome.com.