John Ziouras

I will always remember the time I spent with John and Stella in Greece in their beautiful night. John was loving, gallant and such a wonderful host. Such beautiful memories. My deepest condolences to Stella and the rest of the family. May John RIP.

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My favorite memory of Theo John was summer of 2004 at the house in Halkidiki. Thea Stella and Theo made the most amazing dinner I have ever had in my life. Watching the way they worked together in the kitchen like a well oiled machine was very endearing. D

REMEMBERING JOHN John was a gifted man. His accomplishments were enormous, and his talents were many and varied and though from humble beginnings in Greece, and a minimal formal education, he managed to build an “empire” of sorts, using his thinking and problem solving skills, true grit and his talents in developing his businesses and homes, and in his personal pursuits as well. He was a generous man to many, within and outside of his family. He took care of his immediate family, his parents and siblings, soon after his initial business was successful, making sure they were established in homes and had the basic necessities for a good life. That extended to other family members as well, often bringing them into his businesses as a means for them to provide for their families. His generosity extended into the old Greek tradition of pressing money into the hands of the little kids of his extended family, tipping big in restaurants and various other venues in a kind of “taking care” of others he may have perceived were in need. In my eyes he may have been projecting himself onto those recipients from his earlier years when he had so little. I remember when traveling with him in Turkey witnessing him become emotional when seeing a poor disfigured beggar on the street, and reaching out to give him money while simultaneously trying to appear invisible, apparently for fear that someone might see him in that vulnerable state. On that same trip he wanted to take Rena, Stella and I on a tourist boat on the Bosporus but we had missed the last one of the day. He flagged a smaller boat near by, offered him money to take us for a ride, and the four of us, the only passengers, sailed in the waters that connected the east from the western part of the world with the connector bridge in view overhead. Another example of his quick thinking and ingenuity was our arrival in Turkey. We had somehow gotten lost on our way to Istanbul to a hotel where we were staying. He got out of the car and hailed a Taxi. He paid the driver to “guide” us into Istanbul, our car following behind the Taxi “with no passengers”, right to our hotel door. That was the summer Rena and I traveled to Greece and stayed with him and Stella in their amazing “villa” in which his talents were on full display. I walked around with my camera documenting every corner of the place, including the magnificent dishes he’d prepared for us and where we sat outside under the trellis to consume them. I subsequently created an album as a remembrance of that experience. I have some family memories from a time when our kids, his and mine, were young. The first was at Christmastime and we were at his and Stella’s home. The kids were sitting on the floor where John had gathered them and was about to hand out the gifts. But there was a catch - each had to sing a song to get their gift, and despite the sighing and whining, they did! ….. and I’ll never forget that Christmas! It was simultaneously so funny and so endearing. Another memory is one that took place at Easter. We were in a forrest preserves/park near his and Stella’s first home on Foster. He’d bought a whole lamb, positioned it on a spit for roasting and we took turns turning the handle until it was cooked. It felt so unusual, like an experience from another period of time, and though I was hot from the heat of the fire, and my arm got tired and began to hurt, I really appreciated the experience. I think John really loved when our families got together and he always managed to provide us with some unique experiences. Over the years, whenever any of my family was out with him he would have already paid the bill before any of us had even thought of it. When Rena and I traveled to Las Vegas with him he put us up in a classy hotel and gave us each $200 to use in the casino. (We used that money later to buy him and Stella some much needed luggage for their yearly trips to Greece!) I think these memories reflect John’s desire and ability, to create/provide meaningful and memorable experiences for whomever he was with. One last memory to mention is an evening he came to my weekly guitar lessons at the Old Town of Folk Music, which is still in operation! Being students of varying skill levels we were separated into different rooms in the school for our lessons and afterwards we would all gather together in the large room downstairs to play and sing from a collection of songs in the large music binder we used as students. Some evenings a famous folk singer who happened to be performing in town would come to the school to entertain us, as well as Ray Tate who ran the school and who was a master musician and played with many groups in those days. I told him my brother in law played the bouzouki and asked if he’d be interested in having him come and play for the group. I had already asked John in advance if he’d come if Ray said yes. I don’t think John knew what to expect, probably not the size of the crowd, though I had explained to him beforehand when asking if he was interested. I could tell he was quite nervous when he got up on the stage that evening which surprised me because I was so impressed with his playing and he seemed confident and competent. But, he struggled a bit at the start of a piece and started again, which added to his anxiety, but eventually he was able to pull through. The audience really enjoyed hearing/seeing a bouzouki as most likely none of them had ever heard/seen one “live”. I think John felt a bit embarrassed and humbled but I was so proud and happy he’d come. I’m sure it was the largest “audience” he had ever played for up to that time, and perhaps ever thereafter! I’ll always remember and appreciate John for the enormously talented and generous man he was. He accomplished so much in his life, in his businesses and in his private pursuits. I can’t think of anyone I know who pushed themselves as hard as John did, and lived his life as fully as he did. His mind never seemed to be at rest. He moved skillfully through one project after another and mastered most. It seemed whatever he envisioned, he could bring to fruition. He was resourceful, clever, and inventive, a builder - businessman/restauranteur (with multiple business enterprises) artist - master chef/baker - bouzouki musician - stamp collector/dealer - antique collector, and most likely even more than I am aware of. I want to remember and honor the fullness of John’s life, for all he gave and all he leaves behind, and I pray that he may now finally rest in peace. With love and remembrance, Elaine October 27, 2020 

My brother John, WOW!!! From the time John was able to walk according to my mother. John was able to remember that our grandfather from my mother’s side use to put him in to a straw basket that was tide on the side of the donkey wood den saddle along with his bread, cheese and fruit and take him to the field with him all day. I remember exactly what it was like two brothers shearing youth together and being in business together. Throughout our lives, we shared the joy and created with equal pleasures some of the most wonderful memories and some not so wonderful. They where the best of my childhood years I remembered cherished and loved and still remain close to my heart. They where filled with love, adventures, beauty, sorrows and affections. Soft and gentle day dreams, fearful and exciting feelings that we have jointly known. John and I where two totally opposites as brothers. John was a Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn and Oliver Twist all rolled in to one body. He was free spirited, creative, confident and wanted to explore the mysteries of life around us as we where growing. My mother use to tell my brother that he had ents in his but always that he could not sit still. He knew no fears and certainly never boring around when together. A young boy with creative urges, mischievous and full of wonder, wild and care free. Type of a kid who was always getting in trouble. He always felt that he had to be in control. More stubborn than a Greek mule and if he ever made up his mind on something right or wrong there is nothing anyone or anything that could ever change his mind. I loved my brother with all the bad and good in him he always remained close to me heart. I am not sure how my life would have turned out without him and I don’t want too. I loved every minute that I ever spend with him. My heart is broken because he is part of me a part of who I am today. He will always stay with me in my mind and in my heart. Your loving brother Jim.

I was lucky enough to know John for almost 40 years and incredibly honored to have him as my best friend. I was always impressed by his many talents, unending knowledge, and unstoppable drive. He was an unstoppable man, not afraid to try things the rest of us thought impossible. I was fortunate he gave me the opportunity to work with him on many of his projects. I admired his honesty and fairness, and I am grateful for the support and trust he placed in me. Ευχαριστώ Rest in Peace, John, may your memory be eternal. You are irreplaceable, and we will miss you. Nicon Andritsakis and Family

Stella and family, We cannot stress enough how sad we all were to hear about John. His no-nonsense, direct approach was something we will never forget. His kindness nd generosity will never be forgotten. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Alan, Tina and kids