Efthymios Petrou Pavlou

Amongst family and friends he was legend for his work ethic which first manifested at the age of 9. With his beloved father bedridden by stroke, young Menio would wake up at dawn to sell tomatoes from his mothers garden to the neighboring villages. By the time he was 17, the situation was dire enough that he was sent to America to raise more funds to help his family and marry off his three sisters. It was in this “greatest country in the world”, as he was always quick to say, that he was able to make his dreams come true. He started out as a dishwasher, finishing out senior year of high school during the day and then moved up to waiter. He worked the 1950s country club axis of Greenwich and Miami Beach, making enough money to not only marry off his sisters, but buy his mother a home and himself his first diner and the first of many Cadillacs.

When he was ready to get married, he returned to Greece and found himself a beautiful bride, Evangelia Kallias. It took him two trips to convince her, but she agreed to marry him and move to America for a marriage that would have lasted 55 years this October. They built their dream home together in Tenafly, NJ and lived there for 50 years, raising their three children Peter, Amy and Dean there, until retiring to St Simons to be near their daughter a few years ago.

“Tommy” never new a stranger; he was incredibly charming and never let the hardships of his life break his spirit. Even until his last days, he spoke of being useful and missing work, at the diner specifically. He especially loved his “clan” including his children, grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews and will be missed by all who knew him.

On August 11, 2021 he ascended peacefully to paradise, we hope, to be reunited with his father and mother and receive his rest and rewards. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother George and his sister Demetra. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Evangelia, his son Peter, his daughter Amy (Steve), his son Dean (Alison) and his grandchildren Maria, Ivan, Anastasia, Ava and Tommy.

There will be a service with viewing at St Pauls Greek Orthodox church of Savannah on Tuesday August 17, 2021 at 2 pm and then he will make his final trip home to NJ to be buried next to his dear brother George, his roommate and business partner, in Fairview.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. www.edomillerandsons.com