Dear Uncle Pete,

I always had a soft spot for you, perhaps because I sensed your kindness and generosity or perhaps because you were my dad's twin brother. In any event, I wish that I had spent more time with you once I reached adulthood. 

I'll never forgot when I was a boy in Queens Village, you bought a new car and came to visit my parents one day. I thought you were my Dad and you played along brilliantly. I was so excited to see the new car I thought my dad purchased.  You played along and then once inside the house you got my Mom to play along.  Then you pointed to my parents bedroom door and said somebody in there wants to say hello to me. My dad opened the door and said hello   Kosta and I was so surprised and embarrassed. 

You were a good man and sweet uncle to me. Enjoy the afterlife and hope you and my Dad who passed 9 months later are reunited and best of friends like you used to be in your younger days!

Love you Theo Pete!

This one one my oldest memories, I remember my father trying teach me to swim when I very  young.  My father was very hard worker, he worked 10-12 hours a day 6 days a week, so cherished Sundays, Dads  day off, especially beach days, which are some of my fondest memories as a child.  Dad was a great swimmer, one day at the beach he decided it was time for me too learn to swim, he took on his back and swam past the waves where the water was calm. He then tried to teach me, I was so terrified, we where so far from the beach, but I knew I was safe.  

America lost one of its most gracious men this past Thursday July 25th when Peter Vasilakos passed. I remember him as a second father to me since I was four years old. To him I was known as "Billy", the fourth son. He would always goad me on to rat on my best buddy, his son Tom. I remember when Tom and I would wait in his kitchen for Peter to come home and bring the cheesecake to us. It was a feast made in heaven. Peter was a decorated war veteran from Greece and his past seemed to make him understand how important family was to his happiness. He loved his children very much but was a stern influence on them. It shows by how they all became very successful in their own lives. I am happy to have shared a part of his life on this earth. God Bless his soul

Dad, Pop, Father...My Rock.
                                          I have so much to say to you, although I find myself being laconic during this difficult time. How ironic,  as the word "laconic" is derived from your homeland, Laconia.  I truly believed you would never leave us, as you were the strongest human I have ever known.   Pop,  I want you to know I owe everything to you.  And it pains me to think, I never had the chance to tell you.  I owe you my success, my strength and my strong love of family.  My integrity and sense of fair play,  my ''never say die attitude".  You taught me not to take anything for granted, to work hard, and not to expect anything. You taught me to earn it.   I know,  I was not an easy one to raise, and I contributed to a few of your gray hairs.   I am not too sure we both would have it any other way...  For such a invincible physical specimen,  you were a kind and gentle soul as well. Everyone who ever had the fortune to meet you felt this kindness,  this gentleness.  I will never forget you,  I  truly wish I could have spent more time with you when you were a younger man.   I witnessed the fire in you eyes back then, but unfortunately life got in the way.  Understandably,  paying a mortgage and feeding four children pulled you away from us.  I still marvel at what you have managed to accomplish.  Four successful children and five successful and loving grandchildren.  Dad, rest assured ya done good, ya done dam good.  I hope I can be half the man you were,  just half.  I know you are now with Mom,  and she needs you, you were her everything.  She is happy now. I feel it,  You are both happy.  Tell her we all love and miss her.  I will see you again one day Maganas,  I hope to continue to measure up.  With all my deepest love,  your son
Tom (Rebel)

Dear Pop,
The very first time I met you, you were on a gurney in North Shore Memorial Hospital after that car accident. Like a bookend, the last time I saw you, you were in a bed at the nursing home. In between those two meetings were a lifetime of happy moments. Long ago, you welcomed me into what seemed like a huge clan with open arms and so much warmth, and I'll be forever grateful for that. You showed us all what is important in life - love of family, for that is the one thing that made you truly happy. Your loving presence at our holiday tables, celebrations and back yard barbecues will be forever missed. Our only consolation is that we know that you are now with Yiayia in heaven, free of frailties and full of life. God bless you, Pop - We love you always. - Cindy

Pop, 
You were one of the strongest men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I'm happy I got the chance to talk to you one last time and to give you a proper "I love you" before you left us. Make sure Yiayia knows I love her, too. I'll miss you.
-Mikey

I miss you so much. I will  never forget the time we spent together. You were one of the strongest people I knew. I love you so much. R.I.P.

OBITUARY

Peter Vasilakos

August 15, 1927 – July 25, 2019

Frederick Funeral Home

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