Galatiani Vasilas

Galatiani Vasilas, age 84, of Fort Lauderdale, FL formerly of Oak Lawn, IL, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at home with her loving family by her side. Galatiani was born on November 17, 1939 on Kalymnos Island in Greece to Fr. George and Eirene (Petalas) Pilatos. She married, the love of her life, Antonios Vasilas in Greece in 1963. The couple immigrated to Chicago in 1975 where they began their long career in the restaurant industry. Galatiani opened her first diner in 1976 to show her passion in cooking and baking, specializing in Greek and American cuisine. She loved to not only cook in her restaurants, but for family and friends as well. The one thing with Galatiani was she loved to take care of people. Whether it was through food, clothing or shelter, she helped anyone that needed it. She also enjoyed spending time in her garden, but she will always be remembered for her generous, caring and giving nature. Galatiani will be dearly missed by her grandchildren and great grandchildren who were her pride and joy.

She was preceded in death by, her parents; her husband, Antonios; six siblings; two nephews, Manolis Mamouzelos and Nikitas Economou and her niece, Denise Skylas.

Galatiani is survived by, five children, Maria (Athanasios) Bournas, Irene ((Kyriakos) Stergiou, Savvas (Kathy) Vasilas, Georgia Tountas and Michael (Carmen) Vasilas; ex son-in-law, Kostas Tountas; 13 grandchildren, Stavros (Maria), Konstantinos, Nikko (Taylor), Adonis, Antonis (Sonya), Elizabeth, Nikki, Galatia, Christos, Saveena, Giovanna, Georgia and Adonis; Five great, Kyriako, Vasili, Alexander, Melania and Kostantinos; 2 sisters-in-law, Anna and Artemis Pilatos as well as many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Funeral services for Galatiani will be held at 12:00pm on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church (2701 N. Sheffield Avenue, Chicago, IL). A visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 11:00am until the time of service.