Gerasimos Stephanitsis

Jerry Stephanitsis NORFOLK - Gerasimos F. "Jerry" Stephanitsis, founder of the Norfolk Coffee & Tea Co., and who touched the lives of many in a positive way over the years, died peacefully in his Norfolk home Nov. 10, 2010. He was 100. Jerry was born in Chephalonia, Greece Feb. 10,1910 and immigrated to the United States in 1924. He was predeceased by his wife, Irene. Jerry became a U.S. citizen and proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a founder of the Park Place Civic League and was instrumental in building James Monroe Elementary School and The Park Place Center. He served on the Norfolk Model City Commission. He was the production manager for Mary Jane Bakery during his career before founding Norfolk Coffee & Tea Co. Jerry served his church, The Greek Orthodox Cathedral, faithfully in many ways. He has been a strong supporter of Eastern Virginia Medical School and donated his first social security check to the school when his wife Irene passed away with cancer in 1980. Jerry embraced life and people with a youthful and humble spirit, a charming wit and cheerful attitude and has enriched the lives of those fortunate enough to have had their lives touched by his. Jerry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was presented with a Proclamation from the City of Norfolk on his 100th Birthday. Jerry is survived by his daughter, Irene Pahno and her husband Mickey; sons, Nicholas Stephanitsis and Chris Stephanitsis and his wife Kathryn; and daughter Eva Kyrus and her husband Christopher; his eight grandchildren, Christina and Irene Stephanitsis, George Pahno, Jerry, Barbara and Kassie Stephanitsis, Christy and Tommy Kyrus and two great- grandchildren. A funeral will be held in the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Monday at 11 a.m. with the Very Rev. Father Abrose-Bowers and Father Constantine Rogakos officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery. There will be a Trisagion service held Sunday at 6 p.m. in the Norfolk Chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. Memorial donations may be made to the building fund at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Norfolk. Online condolences may be offered to the family at hdoliver.com.