Stratos W. Aivalikles, of Medford, died unexpectedly, Saturday morning in the company of his loving family at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He was 87.
Mr. Aivalikles was born in Greece, the son of the late William and the late Diana (Chiotelis) Aivalikles. In 1937 at the age of 18 he came to the United States. The next year he married his beloved wife Theano. He soon started a long career as a resteraunteur. He began by working with family at the famed Jimmy’s Harborside in Boston. He also woked at Moskos in Brighton. When America went to war in 1941, Stratos entered the service of his new country and enlisted in the United States Navy. After the war he enjoyed great success estblishing and operating restaraunts in Chicago, Virginia Beach, Manhatten, New Jersey and Boston. Upon his retirement eager to shared his love of cooking, Stratos became the chef at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital, where he earned the admiration of his many co-workers and the patients too.
He was the beloved husband of Theano (Vouros) Aivalikles with whom he shared 68 years of marriage. He was a devoted father to Diana Meyers of Malden, Patricia Evangelis of Andover and William Aivalikles of Amherst, NH. He was a loving grandfather to six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was a dear brother to George Aivalikles, Irene Gianros, Maria Makris and Penelope Voulomas all of Greece. He was a dear brother in law of Frances Moskos of Medford, Marcia and Nicholas Issaris of Greece, Effie and Peter Koleas of Medford, George Vouros of Medford, the late Charles Vouros and William Moskos. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Funeral from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford Wednesday at 10 AM followed by a funeral service in the Greek Orthodox Church Taxiarchae, 25 Bigelow Ave., Watertown at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Tuesday 5 - 9. Services will conclude with entombment at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Stratos’ name to Taxiarchae Church, 25 Bigelow Ave., Watertown, MA 02472.