November 22, 1941 - September 27, 2021
“This is true happiness: to have no ambition and to work like a horse as if you had every ambition. To live far from men, not to need them and yet to love them. To have the stars above, the land to your left and the sea to your right and to realize of a sudden that in your heart, life has accomplished its final miracle: it has become a fairy tale.”
― Nikos Kazantzakis, Zorba the Greek
On Monday, September 27, 2021, Elias Boziotis—loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend—passed away at age 79.
Elias Boziotis was born in Lavrio, Greece on November 22, 1941 to Vasilios Boziotis and Vasiliki Boutis. He was one of three children whose life began during the “Katochi” when Greece was occupied by the Axis Powers. Hunger became a constant companion of the Greek population and Elias was not spared from this. As an infant, he was fed boiled beans blended to a liquid form to serve as his milk. These conditions left Elias weak and unable to walk until the age of four.
Considering these dire circumstances, Elias eventually grew into a strong, smart and free-spirited boy. Stories of his adventurous childhood are endless. From running away from his mother and hiding in a tree to avoid a visit to the doctor to taking his younger sister out claiming they were going to the movies, so he could spend time with his girlfriends.
As a young man, Elias worked in a metal factory in Lavrio and then owned a retail store with a friend selling televisions and framing paintings. Soon after, Elias attended a vocational school for electricians and after serving two years in the armed forces as an electrician, he began a career at OTE, the Greek Phone company, where he specialized in copper wire windings. Although he enjoyed the job, his dream was to join his brother Andreas, in New York. OTE did not want him to leave, and they continued to pay him while he was abroad in the hope that he would return, but he never did.
In New York, Elias worked as a Local 3 electrician for many years and eventually worked for himself as an electrical and general contractor. He was a master electrician and continued to work tirelessly for anyone that needed his help. He enjoyed working and spent the majority of his time working with his good friend Lou in Brooklyn.
Elias always made time for others in his life, especially for his brother’s family. After his brother passed away, Elias stepped in as a father figure to his nephew and nieces. He called or visited to check-in on the family and continued to do so until his death.
And after years of bachelorhood, Elias fell in love and married, Todorka (Dora) Kovacheva. Elias was a supportive and loving husband and Dora was the most committed, loving wife that cared for Elias until his sudden passing.
Lastly, God had blessed Elias with his daughter, Vasiliki. With him he takes the memory of his beautiful little girl, who he spoke of with deep love and great affection, even if they were not a part of each other’s lives.
Elias will be remembered forever for his kind, generous and compassionate spirit. His wit and eccentric personality will be missed by his family and all his friends.
Elias was preceded in death by his father, Vasili, his mother, Vasiliki and his brother, Andreas. He is survived by his wife, Dora, his daughter, Vasiliki and his sister, Eleni. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Christina and his nieces and nephews—Basil, Anastasia, Peggy and Marina. He is also survived by his honorary grandchildren Christina, Thano, Dimitri, Andreas, Kosta and Melina who always called him Pappou (Grandfather) Elia.
The family of Elias will be receiving visitors at the Frederick Funeral Home, 192-15 Northern Blvd., Flushing, New York 11358. Visiting hours will be on Monday, October 4, 2021 from 3:00pm - 7:00pm.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at the Church of Saint Demetrios on 152nd Street in Jamaica, Queens at 9:30 a.m.
An interment for Elias will be held Tuesday, October 5, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Maple Grove Cemetery, 127-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens, NY 11415.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.harden-fh.com for the Boziotis family.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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