Stylianos Emanuel Geotas

Stephen (Stylianos) Emanuel Geotas was born on October 23, 1926 to Stella and Emmanuel Geotas in New York, New York. He attended High School there and at the age of 17 joined the United States Army during World War II, eventually serving on Iwo Jima. Steve was honorably discharged in January of 1946.

After the war Steve returned to the States and with his brother Gus built a two-story brick house for their mother in Fort Lee New Jersey. In 1958, Steve obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from NYU and worked for several years in accounting. Steve then went into the restaurant business and for the next 30+ years of his life owned and operated several restaurants in New Jersey, including the Spindeltop Restaurant in Wayne, New Jersey. There, he was famous for his juicy prime rib and delicious shrimp scampi.

After retiring from the restaurant business Steve met the love of his life, Despina. They were married on September 24, 1989 in Tenafly, New Jersey. The two moved to California where they had homes in Palm Desert, Oceanside and Carlsbad.

Steve loved fishing and became a member of the Oceanside Senior Anglers club and once a year at their luncheons treated the members to home-cooked Greek cuisine. Steve also loved golf and hit a hole-in-one at the 11th hole at the Indio Municipal Golf Course.

Steve's biggest passion however was helping others. Some of the charitable works he was involved with included volunteering once a week at the Oceanside Veterans Association and at Tri-City Medical Center in San Marcos. You would also frequently find Steve with his wife Despina serving meals at Two Fishes Charity Vista for the homeless. He was also a valued member of the Greek Orthodox church in Cardiff, Saints Constantine & Helen.

At the Greek Food Festivals at St. George in Palm Desert and at his church, he could be found in the kitchen either preparing pastitso or tray after tray of his secret recipe for his delicious rice pilaf. On Sundays, Steve devoted his time to transporting people from their cars to the church entrance in the golf-cart he and several others donated to the church. Always active, always giving, always caring.

Steve is survived by his wife Despina, his sister Presvytera Rita Theophilos of Temecula, CA, his nephews Peter Theophilos of Temecula, CA, Dean Theophilos of Chicago, IL, James Van Nutt of Beachwood, NJ and Jordan Geotas of Scottsdale, AZ, and his nieces Peggy Otis of Tustin, CA and Ioanna Young, San Mateo, CA.

Steve's internment will be at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr. San Diego, CA. Maps from the church to the cemetery will be available in the church Narthex.