Ioannis A. “John” Evangelou, 99, of Shrewsbury, died Thursday, February 20th, in UMASS Memorial Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by a brother, Fotios Evangelou, and a sister, Hariklia Tzovaras, as well as by the love of his life, his wife of 72 years, Agapi (Parousis) Evangelou. He and Agapi were inseparable, sharing a lifetime of love and partnership. His happiest times were spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He leaves behind his beloved five children: Anastasia Rudich of Shrewsbury, Fred Evangelou and his wife, Rhonda of Nashua, NH, Demetroula Dalapera and her husband, Andreas, of Athens, Greece, Helen Evangelou of Shrewsbury, and Alexia Forhan and her husband, Daniel, of Shrewsbury; nine grandchildren: Rhonda, Tara, Alethea, Alex, Samantha, Jonathan, Nicolette, Joanna, and Hailey; and 11 great- grandchildren.
He was born in Vavouri, Epirus, Greece, the son of Alexi and Anastasia Evangelou. He served in the Greek Military prior to immigrating to the United States in 1959 and built a legacy through hard work and dedication. He worked at Table Talk for many years before becoming a successful restaurateur, owning several area restaurants, including the beloved John’s Pizza from the 1960s through the 1980s.
John was a proud member of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral and its AHEPA Senior Group, where he found joy in regularly playing Gin Rummy. He enjoyed gardening and loved traveling to visit family and friends.
Even in his later years, John remained independent, making daily trips to groceries stores and cooking meals he loved. A passionate investor since 1963, he followed the stock market, watching CNBC and staying engaged in trading up until the very end.
John will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him as a loving, selfless, and caring man. His loss will remind us of how important it is to love and care for one another, “because life is short, do good”, as Papou would say.
His funeral is Friday, February 28th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, Worcester with a service at 11:00 a.m. in St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday, February 27th from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.