Gerassimos Maratos

Gerassimos Maratos NORFOLK - Gerassimos "Jerry" Maratos, born April 4, 1916, in Ratzakli, Cephallonia, Greece, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Nikoletta Maratos and his two children, Marie Maratos and Nicholas Maratos. He is also survived by his sisters, Agathi Kolokouri and Stamo Daramouska of Patras, Greece, in addition to his sister and brother-in-law, Anastasia and Dionysios Gavrielatos of Bayside, N.Y., and sisters-in-law, Olga Maratos of Bronx, N.Y., and Maria Maratos of Patras, Greece. He was predeceased by his sister, Eugenia Evangel and his brothers, Eleutherios Maratos, Spiridon Maratos and Giorgios Maratos. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Marina Becouvarakis, Denise Zapantis, Nicholas Eleutherios Maratos, Nicholas Spiridon Maratos, Donna Matassa, Andrew Latos, Peter Latos, as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Greece. Jerry lived a full life, beginning with his departure from his beloved island at the age of 13 to support his family. He experienced World War II as a prisoner of war while working on the Corinthia for the Greek Merchant Marine. In the post-war years, Jerry created a new life, establishing himself in Norfolk, as the proprietor of the Ocean View Hotel. He devoted his life to his church and was a very active member of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Norfolk. Although never formally educated, Jerry loved the written word as evidenced by the many poems he composed and published on his life and his experiences. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home is in charge of funeral services. A viewing will be held today, Nov. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Trisagion service at 6 p.m. at the Tidewater Drive Chapel and conducted by the Very Rev. Constantine Rogakos. The funeral will be held Friday, Nov. 20 at 1:30 p.m. in the Annunication Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Granby Street and conducted by the Very Rev. Ambrose Bitziades. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon- brown.com.