Daniel G. Poulos

Daniel G. Poulos of Juno Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on 21 August 2016, at the age of 87. His health had declined in recent years due to cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Daniel was born in Flushing, NY on 26 September 1928 to European immigrants, Elsie [Hauler] Poulos and ‘Gustave’ Poulos. His ancestry was Croatian-Hungarian-German and Greek. His father’s documented names included, Gost, Gust, Gustave, Constantine, although on June 24, 1937 his certificate of citizenship indicates his name change from Gost Gianocopoulos to Gost Poulos.

Growing up in Astoria, NY in the 1940s and 50s, Daniel’s favorite neighborhood spot was Bernies’s Soda Fountain and Candy Store on the corner of 23rd Ave. and 35th St. He avidly listened to radio shows. Daniel married Maria Thorakos, also from Astoria, on 14 July 1953, a marriage of 63 years. They enjoyed dating at jazz clubs and Rangers hockey games and appreciated live entertainment by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton and Louis Armstrong. His occupation was mechanical design, having received his education and training from the Manhattan High School of Aviation Trades, Delehanty Institute, New York City Community College and the Island Drafting & Technical Institute. His years of employment were with Avionics Research Corp., Foster Wheeler Corp., Comptech, Cuttler-Hammer and AIL Systems Inc. (1955-1991).

Daniel and Maria raised their two children in Kings Park, NY, and moved to Juno Beach, Florida upon retirement in 1996. During fatherhood, Daniel was active in men’s softball, men’s bowling, coaching little league baseball and the boy scouts. He enjoyed family vacations, boating and fishing on Long Island, hours of time on yard and home improvement projects and tinkering in his basement shop. Other favorite hobbies were jigsaw, crossword and Jumble puzzles, and watching “Jeopardy” and the “Wheel of Fortune”. In later years, he and Maria traveled to Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and Italy, as well as, completed two USA trips cross-country. In his senior years, he was blessed by the births of two grandchildren who brought great joy and wonderment into his life.

Daniel was a good-natured, patient, organized, sharp-in-memory, dutiful son, husband and father. Playfully, he will be well-remembered for his infamous impersonations of Louis Armstrong, and traditional family fun throughout his years.

Daniel is survived by his wife, Maria; son, Daniel J. Poulos; daughter, Jean M. Poulos; grandchildren, Luca C. Poulos and Sophia A. Poulos; related nieces, Kathy McMahon and Virginia Riga; nephew, Robert Poulos; and cousins, Aphrodite Microutsicos and Paulette Geanacopoulos. He was recently preceded in death by his older brother Robert H. Poulos and cousin, Carol Starobin.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, 24 August from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center, 754 US Highway One, North Palm Beach FL 33408. Funeral and burial services will begin on Thursday, 25 August at 9:30am at St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, 110 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33405, followed by a reception.

Memorial donations are warmly received at St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church or Hospice of Palm Beach County.