James Metrou

James Metrou 54, of Oswego, fell asleep in our Lord Saturday, November 14, 2009 at home in Rizes, Greece, after a short illness. He was born Demetrios Metrou on November 29, 1954 in Lehena Greece and immigrated to Aurora in 1969. He was known to most as "Jim" or "Jimmy" and to those closest to him as "Mimi" and "Barba Mitso". On April 20, 1980 he married his wife Nancy (Foukas) at St. Athanaios Greek Orthodox Church in Aurora where he was a member since he came to the U.S. Jim lived the American dream and became a successful business owner and developer and was responsible for forming his business partnership with his brother (Peter) and brother-in-law (Pantelis) and was attributed to being significantly instrumental in the inception and building Grandma's Table Restaurant in Montgomery in 1984 where he was co-owner until 2005. Jim envisioned the next endeavor and in 1990 opened Dairy Queen in Montgomery where he remained sole owner for over the past four years. Over the past 25 years Jim was influential in many other developments which helped to build and bring business to Douglas Road in Montgomery. Jim was a devout husband and a loving father, a cherished brother and a trusted friend, a humble giver and a quiet leader. Jim's first passion in life was family and friends. He loved family dinners, gathering and parties and most of all cooking meals and serving his guests. He was the consummate host who loved pleasing others. Jim was also a diehard loyal Cub's fan and often took family and friends to season games, pre-season games and even spring training in Phoenix. He always looked forward to vacationing, especially in Greece, which he visited at least once a year. Jim loved to be outside gardening and he planted and grew anything from trees to herbs. Jim is survived by his wife Nancy (Athanasia Foukas) Metrou; three daughters, Angela (Evangelia), Maria and Eleni of Oswego; his mother, Evangelia Metrou of Lehena, Greece; one brother, (Peter) Panagiotis (Gaylene) Metrou of Yorkville; four sisters, Christina (Pantelis) Panagopoulos of Naperville, Joanne (George) Tsantilis of Burr Ridge, Maria (Bill) Karahalios of Glenveiw and Irene (John) Vlahos of Naperville; many godchildren, several aunts and uncles and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, George Metrou. Christian funeral services were held Monday, November 16, 2009 at St. Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church in Lehena, Greece. A memorial fund has been established in Jim's memory to assist the needs of those at the Neurological Department of Yeoryios Yennhmatas Hospital in Athens, Greece, whom Jim felt great compassion. Memorial contributions are being accepted for The James Metrou Memorial Fund at Fifth-Third Bank, 1 Merchants Plaza, Oswego, IL 60543.