Spyros Constantinos Metaxatos

Spyros Constantinos Metaxatos grew up in Pireaus, Greece. He was the last child born to Constantinos and Despina Voutsa-Metaxatos. His sister Anna, and brothers Harry and Lefteris moved from house to house in the area, and experienced much hardship. Spyros lost his father at the age of 10 in 1939, the war followed, which interrupted his schooling and ended the financial support sent from his loving Uncle Kyriakos who went abroad. His older sister’s salary barely sustained them through the war years (1941-44). The death and starvation he witnessed, and having to abandon their bombed out neighborhood made him a life long pacifist. A special camp for boys called Spitia Storgis, Houses of Affection, he credits for giving him a carefree summer during this extremely unstable period in his young life.

Despite these difficult years, he relates fond memories of the many different neighborhoods he lived in, quite an optimistic approach to having to move constantly. Spyros collected discarded items from the neighborhood which his mother threw away until she realized he was fixing these "mechanical toys" She then encouraged his curiosity. This explains why he rarely threw anything

away. He fixed everything he could throughout his life. He saw potential where others saw trash. He started young creating a side door blacksmith workshop he named Hephaestus, after the god of fire and metalworking. Electrical projects came later on, but not after many failed attempts. He landed a good job in Greece, but Spyros's curiosity was again piqued by a lecture IBM gave about the first computer, the Univac, which led him to depart Pireaus for New York on a sabbatical from work, but only after his beloved mother died suddenly in the spring of 1959. It helped that his two brothers were already in America.

New York fascinated him with its endless bridges and tall buildings. At a lecture he met his future wife, and our mother, Elvy Ragouzeos, an independent fashion designer who herself had left her childhood home in Cyprus, first for London and then New York. They married and started a family and quickly outgrew their New York City apartment. The house they bought in Teaneck New Jersey gave him endless things to fix and improve on. Finally a home, their very own, to shelter their growing family. This was deeply important to Spyros. Improvements followed; a porch he created by making a back window into a door became the envy of all the neighbors; the fenced in plain backyard he filled with a patio, tire swing, swing set, sandbox and playhouse brought all the children from the neighborhood. The one challenge that eluded Spyros was speaking English well, of course as an Engineer writing technical reports came more easily to him. Despite that he was extremely hardworking at his office and at home.

In Greek he a had a sharp humor that sadly didn't translate, still his warmth and extremely social and playful nature came through. His generosity of spirit and giving nature was exhaustive. His grown nieces, upon hearing of his passing, praised the devotion and support he gave them when they were young. He was their favorite uncle, attentive and caring. He helped everyone; from his Teaneck neighbors, to loyal friends, to family in Greece, and gave back to the camp that sheltered him growing up during the war. He reached out constantly and endeared people to him, but facing off against him for a game of Tavli (backgammon) was serious business. He was maybe a bit less competitive playing the game with his grandchildren.

Near retirement he finally got what he came to America to study but could never pursue professionally, a mac computer. This new toy fascinated him in the same way New York once did. And with it, he reached out to everyone constantly and tirelessly. A successful career had paved the way for all his children to attend University and for Spryos and Elvy to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Finally they could travel, not just on vacations for work, but from work and they did. Greece was always in his heart, but Miami was nice too.

The only thing that slowed him down was bypass surgery at the age of 87. He overcame that, but lost most of his vision to glaucoma, sadly this brought on great difficulty. Still listening to Greek music, eating good food and having family near gave him great joy. He would have celebrated his 93rd birthday on March 1st, but died just short of this milestone on February 21st 2021.

We love and miss him very much.

Spyros was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Harry and Lefteris, his sister Anna, and his nephews Dean and Robert. He is survived by his beloved wife Elvy, and his four children; Despina, Costas, Irene and Paul, as well beloved relatives in Greece, Cyprus, Europe and the U.S.

Spyros Constantinos Metaxatos passed away peacefully on February 21, 2021, just a week shy of his 93rd birthday. Loving husband to Elvy Metaxatos for 59 years, proud father of four children and doting grandfather to his four grandchildren. Spyros was born March 1, 1928 in Piraeus, Greece, the youngest of four children. He was educated in Athens, Greece and graduated from the Politechnic Institute of Athens with a B.S. in electrical engineering. He moved to New York City in 1960, and led a successful career as an electrical engineer at Gibbs and Hill for over 30 years. He and Elvy raised their four children in Teaneck, NJ and were members of St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church, in Tenafly, NJ. Spyros had an infectious laugh, and loved family get-togethers and befriending the neighbors. He played backgammon with anyone who dared to challenge him, and he even sometimes let his grandchildren win. He also cherished his time in Florida with Elvy and his children and grandchildren, and made it a habit to take a daily swim in the sea. He will be remembered for his generosity, warmth and optimistic outlook on life. Spyros was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Harry and Lefteris, his sister Anna, and his nephews Dean and Robert. He is survived by his beloved wife Elvy, his four children Despina(Richard), Costas(Maria), Irene(Henry) and Paul(Rebecca), and his grandchildren Emilio, Anna, Kyra and Callia. 

A memorial service with the immediate family will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 11 AM at Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 12250 NW 2nd Ave., North Miami, FL. Public view will be from 10:00-11:00 or join us at http://www.annunciationmiami.org/ for the live stream of the ceremony.

Arrangements in Miami are being made by Caballero Rivero Southern Funeral Home, 15011 West Dixie Highway, North Miami, FL 33181. Flowers can be ordered for the service via The Flower Studio(786)456-7100. 

Spyros’s final resting place will be in New Jersey. Committal Service will take place Saturday, March 6th, 12:30pm, (Father Angelo from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. John the Theologian presiding). George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652