In Loving Memory of Olympia (Gioulis) Biliouris
1929 – 2024
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Olympia (Gioulis) Biliouris. A beacon of love, resilience, and selflessness, she left this world surrounded by family, on December 9, 2024. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Ioannis (John), her cherished son George, and her parents Spiros and Mantha (Economou) Gioulis, as well as her siblings, Ioannis and Alkiviadis Gioulis.
Olympia is survived by her son Alexander and his wife, Lisa (Marquis) Biliouris of North Smithfield, RI, her grandchildren, Jonathan and wife, Larissa (DeLisi) Biliouris, Christopher and wife, Amanda (Ritacco) Biliouris, and Alexis Biliouris, as well as her three great-grandchildren, Emilía, Elaia, and Santino Biliouris.
Born in the picturesque village of Politsani, in the Epirus region of Greece, Olympia’s life was a testament to strength, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to her family. From a young age, Olympia faced many hardships. During World War II, her father, Spiros, was taken as a POW to Germany. Through a period of doubt and anguish, he was eventually reunited with his children after the war—a bittersweet moment of joy, damaged by the subsequent separation from their mother. As communist forces began to take control of their village and the surrounding region toward the end of WWII, Olympia, her brothers and cousin, fled in the middle of the night. Olympia’s mother, Mantha, stayed behind to safeguard their home, a decision that earned her condemnation and five years in a communist labor camp. This separation stretched into decades, and Olympia would not see her mother again for more than 40 years, until the beginning of the communist regime’s fall in the late 1980’s. These years of hardship and longing shaped her resilience and deep appreciation for family.
In 1964, Olympia, her husband Ioannis, and their sons, George and Alexander, embarked on a journey to the United States aboard the SS Queen Frederica. They settled in Worcester, Massachusetts, joining relatives who had emigrated earlier. There, Olympia and Ioannis built a new life, beginning with hard work in the mills before establishing themselves as restaurateurs. Together, they opened the Athens Restaurant and Social Club in Worcester, a gathering place for their community and a testament to Olympia’s passion for Greek cuisine.
Olympia’s unmatched work ethic and tireless dedication were the foundation of their success. Her culinary skills flourished as she and her husband expanded into the pizza business, opening multiple successful pizzerias across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In 1982, they named their final venture Olly’s Pizzeria in her honor—a fitting tribute to the woman who brought warmth and flavor to so many lives.
Olympia, although shy, proudly embraced her Greek heritage, sharing songs, poetry, stories, and of course delighting family and friends with traditional dishes like her famous pita, koulourakia, and baklava. Although she had little formal education, her emotional intelligence was extraordinary. Olympia had a remarkable ability to read people’s character within minutes of meeting them, a skill that complemented her natural warmth and charm. She was a poet at heart, a matchmaker, a prankster, and someone with the unique gift of interpreting the stories hidden in traditional Greek coffee grounds. Her laughter was infectious, and her generosity knew no bounds. Material possessions held little meaning for Olympia; her greatest joy was found in giving to others and witnessing the happiness she brought to those around her.
Her life was not without deep sorrow. The tragic loss of her son, George, in 1969 was a wound that never fully healed. Yet, Olympia’s strength carried her through, and she found renewed purpose in the love of her family. Over the years, her family grew to include her daughter-in-law Lisa, and her grandchildren Jonathan, Christopher, and Alexis. In recent years, her grandsons married — Jonathan to Larissa and Christopher to Amanda — and brought Olympia the joy of three great-grandchildren: Emilía, Elaia, and Santino.
In her later years, her son Alexander’s unwavering care and dedication were a source of comfort and dignity for Olympia. His patience and selflessness were a reflection of the values she instilled in her family, and his devotion was supported by Lisa’s compassion and love. Together, they ensured Olympia was surrounded by the warmth of family in her final chapter.
In her passing, Olympia is reunited with her husband Ioannis, her son George, along with her parents, siblings, and the many family members who preceded her in eternal rest. She is once again singing, laughing, and basking in the boundless love of heaven. Her memory will forever be a guiding light for those who were fortunate enough to know her.
Her funeral will be held, Friday, December 13th at 11:30 a.m. at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects from 10:30 until the time of the service in the Cathedral. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institue, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445 or Hope Health Hospice, 1085 North Main Street., Providence, RI 02904.
May her memory be eternal.