Tresa M. Roman

Tresa Makris Roman, a cherished matriarch, community beacon, and embodiment of love and adventure, fell asleep in the Lord on May 26, 2024, at her home in Indialantic, Florida. Born in Homestead, Pennsylvania to Paul and Ethel Makris on October 23, 1924, Tresa’s life was a remarkable journey that spanned nearly a century.

Tresa was one of six daughters - Alexandra, Thelma, Kelly, Tresa, Mary, and Julie - each with her own distinct personality and love. Her story of love began with a childhood note, which her sister Kelly answered on her behalf, leading to an inseparable bond with her sweetheart, Andy, that withstood the test of time, war and distance.

A Life of Service and Entrepreneurship. During WWII, Tresa contributed to the war effort at H J Heinz in Pittsburgh. Post-war, she and Andy celebrated their union with a joyous Greek wedding, the first in Pittsburgh after the war, drawing an exorbitant amount of people to share in their happiness.

Newly married, they first built a house and then their entrepreneurial spirit led them to open the Bellevue Restaurant, then later the Roman Drycleaners, and still later Pizza Classic in both Melbourne and on Melbourne’s Beachside.

From Coast to Coast and Beyond. Tresa joined Andy when he was part of a pioneering team at Douglas Aircraft and McDonnell-Douglas, where the work took them from Pennsylvania to California, back and forth to Florida, and even across the Atlantic to England.

Their adventures included establishing roots in Dodge City, Kansas, where their son George was born, and embracing the bustling life of Chicago’s downtown.

After Chicago, faced with the choice to return to Pittsburgh or venture West, they boldly chose California, a decision they kept as a delightful surprise to their family until they arrived in Santa Monica.

Upon returning briefly to Pennsylvania, the journey continued as they were sent to the Florida Field Station in Titusville, and then to the remote atoll of Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands, where Tresa worked in the Army Field Office as the executive secretary to the Colonel. Their time on the island was a unique chapter in their lives, filled with new experiences and lasting memories.

Ultimately, they returned to Brevard County, which would become their final and most cherished stop, completing a full circle of life and love that spanned the breadth of the country.

Faith and Heritage. Tresa’s faith was a cornerstone of her life, as a devoted member of the original Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Orlando and later, Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Melbourne.

At Saint Katherine, she was a driving force behind the annual Oratorical Festival, nurturing the voices of the youth. She led the creation of the parish’s first Greek cookbook, “Greeks Have a Recipe for It,” sharing her culinary heritage with pride and joy. Over the years, she baked tens of thousands of her famed Finikia cookies for Saint Katherine’s annual Greek Festival.

Final Farewell. The viewing will be held at Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church on Saturday, June 1st at 11am, with a Trisagion service at 1130am, followed by the Funeral service at 12 noon. Interment will take place at Florida Memorial Gardens following the funeral service.

Tresa is lovingly remembered by her son George (Elaine); grandsons Andrew (Evangelia), Arte (Krisa), Daniel (Brenda), and Stephen (Laura); her 13 great-grandchildren Athan, Christian, Luke, Zachary, Lucian, Mark, Anastasia, Isaac, Ariana, Carlo, Alexander, Elainamarie and George; and a great-grandson on the way. She was preceded in death by her husband Andrew ‘Andy’ Roman, her parents, and her sisters and in-laws.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church - Cemetery Chapel Fund, a project close to the family’s heart.

Tresa lived by the philosophy of “blossom where you are planted,” and indeed, she flourished in every aspect of her life, leaving a legacy of growth, beauty, and resilience.

May her memory be eternal.