Louis J. Vastardis

My Remembrance of Louis Vastardis by Harry P. Thomas

I met Louie a number of years ago when I joined the Senior Mens Group at the church of St. Luke in Broomall. At that time I learned that he had known & worked with my departed father, Panagiotis Thomas, when Louie was first getting established in the USA. We formed a close bond and a very meaningful friendship that I really treasured. I enjoyed many, many interesting conversations with Louie though the years. He reminisced in amazing detail about his life in Greece and in the USA.
Louie recounted that as a young man from a small village on the island of Andros, he apprenticed with a carpenter in order to learn the trade as was the custom. Subsequently Louie trained & served in the British military during WWII. He shared many astounding and vivid memories of his war time experiences during those difficult times.
With the wars end, Louie embarked in the merchant marine where he traveled to many countries. He told me his heartfelt dream was always to settle in the USA for a better life.
One of Louies first jobs in the USA was as painter for a commercial contractor. Although a carpenter by trade, he took the painting job out of necessity. As time passed his English improved & he was able to contract small carpentry jobs on his own. This was the beginning of a proud career that slowly strengthened & flourished.
Eventually he met & married the love of his life, the former Goldie Stamis. Together they created a strong partnership, a beautiful family & a very successful construction business. Louie established a reputation in the community as an honest & hardworking individual. He ultimately grew to become a respected builder of Philadelphia area restaurants, diners & residential homes. With a strong love of faith & community, Louie & Goldie were ardent supporters of the Greek Orthodox Church. They gave generously of their time as well as financial contributions. A scholarship was eventually established in the name of the Vastardis family.
I will forever remember my dear friend as a very charitable, kind & compassionate soul. He was forever ready to extend a hand to those in need. Louie was always so eager to engage in dialogue and was truly well-loved by so many. As a respected & proud Greek-American, he managed to obtain and live the American Dream. He will be missed by all who had the honor to know him

Mr. Vastardis was a wonderful and kind gentleman who will be missed by all of us. His legacy and memory will be eternal because of his selflessness and as a result of the beautiful, loving family that he and Mrs. Vastardis cultivated. With deepest sympathy to our dear friends. Zoe se sas. Love, Maria and Dan