Spiros
V.
Zotos
September 10, 1923 - January 20, 2013
Born in Lupsati, Albania
Resided in Macomb, MI
SPIROS V. ZOTOS, Passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Beaumont Hospice on January 20, 2013, in his 89th year.
Loving husband of Katherine (nee Spounias) for 56 years. Beloved father of Demmy Lionas (Steve), Angela (Dennis Sobieski) and Anthony (Voula). Proud grandfather of Jamie Gialanella (Michael), Katherine Van Tiem (Brandon), Marika Lionas, Ashley Sobieski, and Steven, Eleni and Sophia Zotos. Great-grandfather of Olivia Grace Gialanella. Survived by his siblings, Chris Zotos (Mary), Eleni Drapos (the late Spiro), George Zotos (the late Kalliope), Tom Zotos (Kathy) as well as several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Preceded in death by his granddaughter, Gabriella Zotos, great-nephew, Matthew Sackett, niece, Christine Zotos and nephew, John Zotos. Son of the late Vassilios and Vassiliki Zotos.
Spiro was born in Lupsati, a small farming town in Albania made up of Greek people who didn't speak Albanian, but simply lived there right over the border. It was a rural village that was neighbored by seven others and all together serviced by only one school and one Greek Orthodox Church. He led a simple life, the house he was born in consisted of two bedrooms and a kitchen which he shared with his parents, grandmother or "yiayia" in greek, his aunt, four brothers and a twin sister. His father was a farmer and there was neither electricity nor running water.
Tragedy struck in 1938 when the war broke out and communism invaded Albania. The family decided that they must flee to Greece and away from the communist persecution. It was a dangerous decision, knowing that those who were caught were killed instantly or sent to concentration camps. On October 10, 1945 the family fled in the night and escaped to the island of Corfu (Greece). The family lived there for two years until the two eldest sons Chris and Spiros headed to America. They sailed on a battleship – the Marine Shark. After twelve days they arrived in a port in New York. Spiro and his brother Chris immediately began working in order to send for their other two brothers, sister and mother. While his father never intended on staying in America, Spiro and Chris decided they were not leaving.
In 1948, Spiro's twin sister married in Cleveland and Spiro decided to move there also. He worked as a waiter at The Hotel Cleveland for a few years and in 1951 he traveled to Detroit to see relatives and ended up staying. Two months later, he bought a restaurant with his brother Chris. That was the beginning of a career as a restaurateur for 30+ years. In 1955 he met a young woman named Katherine Spounias on the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church bowling league. Katherine was also Greek and an aspiring school teacher. In 1956, they were married and later had three children.
Spiro was an avid bowler, golfer, hunter and outdoorsman. Spiro was fortunate to have property up north where he could enjoy deer hunting which he was able to share with his son and grandson. He was active up until a stroke rendered him paralyzed on the right side at 80 years old. He continued to hunt for a few years, determined to be as independent as possible. He loved his three children and eight grandchildren fiercely and was so very proud of all of their accomplishments. He was blessed with the arrival of his first great grandchild in November, 2012, Olivia Grace.
He always had a helping hand for others and gave of his time and energy freely. He was active in many organizations, especially enjoyed cooking venison stew for his fellow Masonic Lodge members. Spiro was a member of Masonic Lodge 536, Order of AHEPA Alpha Chapter 40 and Epirotic Society, and he was a lifetime member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.
He will always be remembered as a kind and gentle soul and his smile and laughter will be missed.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, January 22, 2013, from 3-8 p.m. at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Rd., Troy (between Maple & Big Beaver) with Masonic Service at 6 p.m. and Trisagion at 7 p.m.
The Funeral Service will be Wednesday, January 23 - 10 a.m. at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 760 W. Wattles Rd., Troy. Visitation at church begins at 9:30 a.m.
Interment White Chapel Cemetery in Troy.
Memorial tributes may be made to:
Orthodox Detroit Outreach, P.O. Box 38511, Detroit MI 48238, website: orthodoxdetroitoutreach.org
or
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Argonauts.
Loving husband of Katherine (nee Spounias) for 56 years. Beloved father of Demmy Lionas (Steve), Angela (Dennis Sobieski) and Anthony (Voula). Proud grandfather of Jamie Gialanella (Michael), Katherine Van Tiem (Brandon), Marika Lionas, Ashley Sobieski, and Steven, Eleni and Sophia Zotos. Great-grandfather of Olivia Grace Gialanella. Survived by his siblings, Chris Zotos (Mary), Eleni Drapos (the late Spiro), George Zotos (the late Kalliope), Tom Zotos (Kathy) as well as several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Preceded in death by his granddaughter, Gabriella Zotos, great-nephew, Matthew Sackett, niece, Christine Zotos and nephew, John Zotos. Son of the late Vassilios and Vassiliki Zotos.
Spiro was born in Lupsati, a small farming town in Albania made up of Greek people who didn't speak Albanian, but simply lived there right over the border. It was a rural village that was neighbored by seven others and all together serviced by only one school and one Greek Orthodox Church. He led a simple life, the house he was born in consisted of two bedrooms and a kitchen which he shared with his parents, grandmother or "yiayia" in greek, his aunt, four brothers and a twin sister. His father was a farmer and there was neither electricity nor running water.
Tragedy struck in 1938 when the war broke out and communism invaded Albania. The family decided that they must flee to Greece and away from the communist persecution. It was a dangerous decision, knowing that those who were caught were killed instantly or sent to concentration camps. On October 10, 1945 the family fled in the night and escaped to the island of Corfu (Greece). The family lived there for two years until the two eldest sons Chris and Spiros headed to America. They sailed on a battleship – the Marine Shark. After twelve days they arrived in a port in New York. Spiro and his brother Chris immediately began working in order to send for their other two brothers, sister and mother. While his father never intended on staying in America, Spiro and Chris decided they were not leaving.
In 1948, Spiro's twin sister married in Cleveland and Spiro decided to move there also. He worked as a waiter at The Hotel Cleveland for a few years and in 1951 he traveled to Detroit to see relatives and ended up staying. Two months later, he bought a restaurant with his brother Chris. That was the beginning of a career as a restaurateur for 30+ years. In 1955 he met a young woman named Katherine Spounias on the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church bowling league. Katherine was also Greek and an aspiring school teacher. In 1956, they were married and later had three children.
Spiro was an avid bowler, golfer, hunter and outdoorsman. Spiro was fortunate to have property up north where he could enjoy deer hunting which he was able to share with his son and grandson. He was active up until a stroke rendered him paralyzed on the right side at 80 years old. He continued to hunt for a few years, determined to be as independent as possible. He loved his three children and eight grandchildren fiercely and was so very proud of all of their accomplishments. He was blessed with the arrival of his first great grandchild in November, 2012, Olivia Grace.
He always had a helping hand for others and gave of his time and energy freely. He was active in many organizations, especially enjoyed cooking venison stew for his fellow Masonic Lodge members. Spiro was a member of Masonic Lodge 536, Order of AHEPA Alpha Chapter 40 and Epirotic Society, and he was a lifetime member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.
He will always be remembered as a kind and gentle soul and his smile and laughter will be missed.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, January 22, 2013, from 3-8 p.m. at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Rd., Troy (between Maple & Big Beaver) with Masonic Service at 6 p.m. and Trisagion at 7 p.m.
The Funeral Service will be Wednesday, January 23 - 10 a.m. at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 760 W. Wattles Rd., Troy. Visitation at church begins at 9:30 a.m.
Interment White Chapel Cemetery in Troy.
Memorial tributes may be made to:
Orthodox Detroit Outreach, P.O. Box 38511, Detroit MI 48238, website: orthodoxdetroitoutreach.org
or
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Argonauts.
Visitation
A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home
2600 Crooks Road (btw Maple & Big Beaver)
Troy, MI US 48084
Troy, MI US 48084
Masonic Service at 6 p.m., Trisagion at 7 p.m.
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Service
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
760 West Wattles Road
Troy, MI US 48098
Troy, MI US 48098
Cemetery
White Chapel Cemetery
621 West Long Lake Road
Troy, MI US 48098
Troy, MI US 48098
