Donatos Vangos passed away March 4th on his 92nd birthday, surrounded by his loving family. Born in 1924 in Malouni, Thesprotias, Greece, Donatos was the eldest of eleven children.
Donatos is predeceased by his father Evangelos Vangos, mother Georgia Vangos, beloved wife Polixeni (Bistas,) son Christos Vangos, grandson Joey Vangos, sister Olga Droumbalas and brother Eleftherios Vangos. He leaves behind his daughters Maria Brann, Georgia Loukas and their spouses, son Angelo Vangos along with 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. His sisters Angeliki, Ourania and their spouses, his brothers, Niki, Basili, Mina, Pavlos, their spouses and countless nephews, nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces.
Donatos spent his childhood years in the mountainous region of Epiros cultivating the family land and tending to their livestock. In 1943 at the age of nineteen, he joined the forces of the resistance movement EDES. In 1947 he moved to Thesaloniki in search of work to help support his family and briefly worked as a baker. He shortly thereafter joined the police force and served from 1947 to 1950 before returning to Malouni to continue working the land. In 1952 he married Polixeni (Bistas) and a year later had their first daughter Maria.
In search of a better future the couple decided to immigrate to the United States. Donatos worked at Table Talk Pies for eight years and in 1963 purchased Vernon Market. In 1964 he converted it to one of the first Greek Pizza places in Worcester. His entrepreneurial spirit fueled him to establish Vernon Pizza II in 1964, Milbury Pizza in 1966 and Village Pizza in 1970.
An active member of the Greek community, Donatos was a member of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, a member of AHEPA since 1970 as well as a member and past president (1980) of the Panepirotic Federation.
His love and strength for his family and friends provided them with unlimited opportunity in this country. An incredible man with an incredible legacy, Donatos touched the lives of many while living his life on his own terms to the very end.
His last words were "I'm o.k."
The funeral is Tuesday, March 8th from O'CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, with a service at 10:00 A.M. in St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell Street. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday, March 7th from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. in the funeral home. Donations in his memory may be made to the St. Spyridon Senior Group, 68 Cedar Street, Worcester, MA 01609.
Forever in our hearts. May his memory be eternal.