ATHANASIOS VITTAS

Funeral services took place Nov. 30 at Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church, Jersey City, for Athanasios (Tom) Vittas, 92, from Jersey City. He passed away Nov. 23. Born in Grammeni Oxia, Greece Tom emigrated from Analipsis, Trihonidos in 1955 to pursue the “American Dream”. He worked at Western Electric for 26 years. In 1960, he opened Vittas Haberdashery, his Newark Avenue shop which he expanded into Star Shoes in 1998. This year marked 60 years in business. Proud of his Greek heritage Tom served as President and Treasurer of Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church helping to build the Community Center on Montgomery Street; served as Supreme President of the Federation of Sterea Ellas and was co-founder and President of the Analipsis Society. He loved to support people in their pursuit of the American Dream; loved Jersey City and being American. Passionate about his business, he relished serving his customers. He enjoyed his annual trip to his home in Thermo and Analipsi. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Areti (nee Tsounis); son Theodore (Valerie), daughters Eleni and Constantina (Yianni) grandchildren John, Athan, Christina, Stathi (Dianne) and Annette; great grandson Yianni, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Services arranged by the  McLaughlin Funeral Home, Jersey City.