Charles Spiros Pappas
Red Bank
Charles Spiros Pappas, of Red Bank, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 26, 2014. He was the eldest son of Spiros and Sophia; Charles was born in New York City, NY. He moved to Asbury Park, NJ at age 10 with his parents, sister, Helen, and brother, James. He graduated from Asbury Park High School in 1943. After his graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force. He served in Italy and flew 28 bombing missions over North Italy, Austria and Germany. Charles graduated from Syracuse University in 1950 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. He married Angela Morris in April 1952; and they were blessed with the birth of their son, Spiro Paul.
Charles and his brother, James built and opened the Howard Johnson Restaurant in Toms River, NJ in 1956. Due to the success of that location, he partnered with his wife, Angela's father, John Morris, and Angela's brothers, George and Stephen Morris in 1962 to open the Howard Johnson Motor Lodge in Middletown, NJ. They had already built and opened the adjacent Howard Johnson Restaurant in 1958.
Charles and Angela's son, Spiro Paul married Elayna Arbes in 1983. They were elated with the births of their grandchildren, Dean Spiro and Alexandra Sophia.
Charles was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
The Morris and Pappas Families closed the Howard Johnson Restaurant in December 1997 after 40 years in business. Many customers fondly remember Charles walking around the dining room with a coffee pot in his hand topping off everyone's cups of coffee. He dedicated most of his life to the Howard Johnson Restaurant and Inn and worked very hard alongside his family. The Howard Johnson Inn was converted to Comfort Inn in 2007 and is managed and operated by Charles' son, Spiro.
Charles was an extremely honorable, gentle, kind, and loving person. He was always very generous to his family, friends, and anyone in need. He had an amiable, good-natured and cordial personality and was well suited to be in the hospitality industry.
Charles was a devout, dedicated, and lifetime member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church that originated in Asbury Park, NJ and recently moved to their new complex in Ocean Township, NJ. He was a great supporter and humanitarian of many local and national charities. Charles was a Grand Benefactor of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean Township, NJ. He also supported many Greek-American organizations such as The Metropolis of NJ, St. Basil's Academy, St. Michael's Home for the Aged and Hellenic College Holy Cross. In addition, Charles supported many national organizations such as the SPCA, the American Cancer Society, and the Boy Scouts of America; to name a few.
Charles was predeceased by his loving parents, Spiros and Sophia and his brother, James. He is survived by his beloved wife, Angela; son, Spiro Paul, daughter-in-law, Elayna; grandson, Dean Spiro; granddaughter, Alexandra Sophia; sister and brother-in-law, Helen and James Skopas, sisters-in-law, Faye Pappas and Kleanthi Xenellis; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, George and Joan Morris, Stephen and Xenia Morris, and George and Elvira Michals, numerous nieces and nephews, and numerous grandnieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 28 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1033 W. Park Ave., Ocean Township. Funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29 at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean Township, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean Township. Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, was entrusted with his arrangements.
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Published in Asbury Park Press on Mar. 28, 2014
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