Gus Trizis

Gus TRIZIS, age 88, of Clearwater, Florida passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2020. Gus was born December 20, 1931. Father to John(Diane), Pat, Steve(Bonnie), Rita(David), Jim(Pam), Beth, Pamela and George. Grandfather to 22, Great-Grandfather to 9 with more currently on the way. He is survived by two brothers, (Jim and Tasi) and many nieces, nephews both in Greece and America and many, many friends. He came to America in 1951 with $50, little education and spoke no English. But he never doubted himself or was afraid of the future. He opened over a dozen restaurants over the course of his life between Chicago and Florida, yet he never forgot where he came from. For many years, every year he sent his wife, Angie, with all the kids to Greece for the entire summer even if he could only come for a week. He insisted that his children know their heritage. He sent the family 5 summers in a row. There is a famous Trizis story where his father gave little George (the youngest) a lamb as a pet for the summer. When our grandfather wanted to have a BBQ just before we came back to America he was going to make lamb. My mother heard this and threatened never to come back if he did this while we were there. After we left, he can do what he wanted with the lamb. Another time, he took George to Greece where he was best man in his nephews wedding. One month later, they came back to America and George was speaking fluent Greek and no English. I will never forget the first time we went to Greece in 1963. Two kids were still in diapers, my mom shipped several cases of pampers to Greece but we still ran out (you don't want to know the Greek equivalent of pampers at that time. She called my dad to fill his suitcase with diapers. Being Greek, he just happened to be singled out by Greek customs for an examination of his suitcase. They opened it and out popped dozens of pampers. That was the one time I saw my father embarrassed. He had 2 hobbies besides work. The track and cards. He will be sorely missed by all but we know he is with our mom and sister and is happy.

A committal service for Gus will be held Monday, August 17, 2020 from 12:30 to 12:45 pm at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, 2860 Sunset Point Rd., Clearwater, FL 33759. A visitation will occur Monday, August 17, 2020 from 10:00 to 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 409 S. Old Coachman Rd, Clearwater, FL 33765. A funeral service will occur Monday, August 17, 2020 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Holy Trinity Greek Church, 409 S Old Coachman Rd, Clearwater, FL 33756. A burial will occur, 2860 Sunset Point Rd., Clearwater, FL 33759. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sylvanabbey.com for the TRIZIS family.