Gregory Vassos April 18, 1932 – February 5, 2023
A Visitation for Mr. Vassos will be held on Saturday, February 11th from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 11025 S. Roberts Rd., Palos Hills, IL 60465. Funeral service to follow and begin promptly at 11:00 AM. Gregory will be laid to rest along side his dear mother and loving daughter at Bethania cemetery of Justice.
In lieu of flowers the Vassos family kindly asks that memorials be made in Gregory’s name to Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church. https://onrealm.org/SaintsConstanti/give/memory
For information; Please contact Michael Orrico @ 815/260-0668 or Orricofuneral@comcast.net
Gregory Vassos, 90, of Palos Hills, Illinois passed away peacefully on February 5, 2023 surrounded by family. Greg was born on April 18, 1932 to the late Evangelos and Vasiliki Vassos in the village of Longos situated along the border between Greece and Albania. He was orphaned at age 10 when his father died, and at age 13 was permanently separated from his mother for over 40 years as a result of the Greek and Albanian conflicts. In 1989, prior to the fall of communism in Albania, he went back to reunite with her and bring her to United States. At age 15, Greg was sent to Leros, an island in Greece, to participate in a school for orphans under the auspices of the then King Pavlos and Queen Fredrica of Greece. Greg eventually attended the Athens School of Law. In 1956, while in Athens, he met his beautiful bride and wife for 65 years, Ida Vassos. In 1957, Greg and Ida made the nine-day journey across the Atlantic to New York. They eventually settled in Chicago where they started a family, built a home, and where Greg completed a 45- year career in banking. A true pioneer in business, Greg moved through the ranks at Concordia Federal Savings to become a senior vice president, helping expand the bank through its branch operations and then joined Chesterfield Federal. Greg was also a real estate broker and insurance broker. Upon his retirement, Greg printed a business card that read, “God Bless and Protect America. Yesterday is a cancelled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is the only cash you have, so spend it wisely.” Greg spent his time wisely with his family, friends, and community. He devoted himself to his family and to numerous civic and charitable organizations, including serving as president of the local Kiwanis, participating in the 95th Businessmen’s Association and Zoning Board of Palos Hills, serving as a commissioner of the Beverly Hills neighborhood in Chicago, and serving as a board member at Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Palos Hills. He loved helping people and his community. Throughout his life, Greg impressed all with his charm, wit, caring nature, and graciousness. Greg lived his life with dignity, perseverance, focus, and courage. A loyal husband, loving father and grandfather, son, uncle, and friend to many, Greg will be remembered for his love of family and his generosity. His legacy and lessons will continue through those he left behind. Greg is preceded in death by his parents, and his caring and unforgettable daughter, Marina. He is survived by his beautiful, resilient, and devoted wife , Ida; sons, Evan and Tony (Cheryl); Tony and Cheryl’s daughter, his granddaughter, Danielle; and his brothers-in-law Harry (Xanthi) Gatzionis, Gregory (Helen) Gatzionis, and John (Dora) Gatzionis; many more cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made in Greg’s memory to Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Palos Hills, Illinois. Orrico Kourelis Funeral Services Inc. entrusted with all arrangements. For information please call 815/260-0668
Gregory Vassos April 18, 1932 – February 5, 2023