Steve Alvertos

Steve (Efstathios) Alvertos fell asleep in the Lord January 18, 2026. Beloved husband of Sylvia Ponce Alvertos. Loving father of Bobby (Darice Irons) Alvertos. Devoted son of the late Haralambos and Kyriaki Alvertos. Proud grandfather of Julian Efstathios Alvertos and Penelope Alvertos. Dear brother of Nikos Alvertos. Son-in-law of Mila Ponce. Brother-in-law of Elizabeth Ptaszek, Fotini Alvertos, and Luis Ponce. Fond uncle of Haralambos Alvertos, Maria Rentzelos, Dimitra Koula Philippou, Christian Ponce and Daniel Ponce.

Steve was born in Athens, Greece, to his loving father Haralambos and mother Kyriaki on February 14, 1958. He and his older brother Niko grew up playing soccer on gravel lots with their friends in the neighborhood of Gyzi. The family of four moved to the United States in 1970. As a teenager Steve embraced the culture of his new home, playing football and basketball at Amundsen High School on Chicago's north side and forging lifelong friendships with kids from the neighborhood around Summerdale Avenue. In 1978 Steve enlisted in the United States Army as a medic. He was stationed in Germany during the Cold War, but most of his stories revolve around the fun he had with his fellow servicemen driving tanks off-road, forming a rock band called The Blue Spaders, and developing an appreciation for German beer. His time in the service is also where his love for music of all genres flourished, as he spent most of his pay on what would become an extensive vinyl record collection.

Having trained as a medic and served with honor, Steve returned home to enter a lifelong career in healthcare, from his time as a nurse's assistant at Swedish Covenant Hospital up to his role in management in the Admitting department at Evanston Hospital. Steve was passionate and dedicated to medicine, to the point where he became the family's go-to person for questions about illnesses, trips to the doctor, or emergency treatment of various cuts, burns, and other ailments.

In 1981 Steve married his first wife Frances Gast. The union didn't last but it did produce Steve's only child, son Bobby on October 14, 1981. Steve was a devoted and loving father, passing on his love of music (through his updated for the 90's vast CD collection) and sports (countless trips to Cubs, Bears and Blackhawks games) to his son. Steve taught Bobby how to play baseball, including round after round of catch and pepper, and how to play football through games of two hand touch in the street. The two even played on the same company softball team when they were both employed at Northwest Community Hospital. He was always a calming presence in Bobby's life, helping him navigate all manner of crises, big and small with his signature wit, humor and affection.

Steve began work at Ravenswood Hospital where he met and befriended a newly hired nurse named Sylvia Ponce. While his attempts to win her affection with cakes from Swedish Bakery and trips to the movies produced mixed results, they eventually fell in love and were married in November 1997. The two bought a home together in Des Plaines where they lived with their two cats Gino and Butkus for years before settling in Evanston. Steve and Sylvia enjoyed their annual travel to locations around the country like San Francisco and Florida and to countries around the world like Costa Rica, Spain, and especially Greece.

In 2013 the family grew when Bobby married Darice Irons. They would give Steve two beautiful grandchildren, Julian Efstathios, his namesake, and Penelope Josephine, both of whom he adored and spoiled on birthdays, Christmases and any time he felt like seeing smiles on their faces. He lived to make them laugh and enjoyed watching their sporting events and dance recitals. He was the first string babysitter, never turning down an opportunity to spend time with his Juju and Penny.

Steve will be remembered as a warm, caring, generous, hilarious chop-buster, a lover of animals, a music enthusiast, a gadget collector and a die-hard Chicago Bears, Blackhawks and Olympiakos fan. He was always taking care of others, quick to ask if anyone needed anything and determined to provide whatever that was. He was a devoted son, and an incredible father whose example his son carries with him in raising his own children.

In addition to his immediate family, he will be greatly missed by his mother-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and nephews, colleagues, friends and 16-inch softball teammates (and umpires). His impact on all of their lives is immeasurable, and the pain of his absence will be felt deeply by all who loved him.

A letter to my loving husband from your wife Sylvia:

Thank you for loving me and caring for me. You were my rock and protector. I thank you for all the wonderful years you gave me. I will always love you and carry you in my heart. I will miss you, honey. As I always used to tell you, but who loves you? You replied with a smile saying, I love you too!"

Visitation Friday, January 23, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Service, 11:00 at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 2701 N Sheffield Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614. Interment with military honors to follow at Elmwood Cemetery, River Grove, IL. May his memory be eternal.

Arrangements by Memory Eternal Funeral Directors, LTD. 847-375-0095