Eustace Pliakas

PLIAKAS, EUSTACE T. (TED) was a life-long resident of Rhode Island.

He was born in Providence in 1924, the third of five children, to Theodore G. Pliakas and Lambrini Bratiotes.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy; his sister Demetra Pliakas Hills; his three children Paul, Stephen, and Rhea; his daughter in-laws Jean Pliakas and Lizzie Mudenda and his son in-law George Zikos; and his five grandchildren, Elena, Tessa, Toella, Thali and Nikia. He was pre-deceased by his brother George Pliakas and sisters Theodora Pliakas and Bay Temkin (Vasliki Pliakas).

Ted was especially proud to be a graduate of Classical High School in Providence. At Classical, he was co-captain of the football team during a season in which Classical lost 11 games and tied one. Team members were "very proud of that tie." Following his graduation, Ted joined the Army Air Corps during World War II. He served in Lille and Le Havre, France where he supervised military communications, and he was in Paris on V.E. day.

Ted received his undergraduate education from several schools including Providence College and, during his military training, at City College of New York and Clark University. After the war, he took undergraduate courses and attended the Law School at the University of Chicago under the G.I. Bill. There, he met his future wife, Dorothy Strickland (Sotiriadhes), a student at the University. In 1950, they married in Chicago.

Ted received the Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1951. Soon after, Ted and Dorothy returned to Rhode Island where he lived for the rest of his life. While studying for the Bar Exam, he worked as a waiter at the Rocky Point Shore Dinner Hall. After being admitted to the Bar, Ted worked in tax law with Christopher Del Sesto (RI Governor, 1959-1961) and then joined the law firm Graham, Reid, Ewing & Stapleton. Ted became a partner and remained with the firm through three mergers and name changes for over 50 years.

Ted loved practicing law and was by any standard a workaholic. His legal expertise, attention to detail, and strong moral compass led to his professional success and deep respect among his peers, clients, and friends. Ted distinguished himself in corporate and real estate law. He represented public corporations and privately held companies in all phases of mergers and acquisitions and represented land developers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Florida. For over 20 years, he was listed in the well-known peer review publication Best Lawyers of America. Ted's Greek heritage was an enduring source of pride for him that manifested itself in many ways, especially in his dedication to the Annunciation Church in Cranston. Ted recognized the Church as a source of spiritual inspiration and as a place where second and third generation Greeks could maintain and celebrate their heritage and newcomers could feel at home in a new land. He served as co-chairman of the Building committee in the 1960s when the parish moved from Providence to Cranston. He was instrumental in selecting an architect and ensuring the unique design of the church. Ted also served as Parish President during the 1990's and for decades provided the church with pro bono legal work. For his service, he was made an Archon Nomophylax of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. A perpetual optimist, Ted believed that the human condition would inevitably improve over time, and he did his part to make his corner of the world a better place. As a young lawyer, he worked for the Legal Aid Society. He also worked on a pro bono basis for community groups in South Providence, brought food and presents to struggling families in the holiday season, and donated to many charitable and progressive organizations. Ted was particularly proud of his service on the RI Commission to Encourage Morality in Youth. On the Commission, he successfully worked to abolish the Commission, thereby ensuring that several important works of literature would not be banned from public schools. Ted had a deep sense of integrity, decency, loyalty, and social responsibility values he shared with his wife and communicated to his children. He was a loving, affectionate, and caring husband and father. He absolutely adored his grandchildren and was happiest with his family around him. We love him and will miss him deeply. We will have him with us always. May his memory be eternal.

Ted's funeral service will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 175 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston, 02910. Visitation on Monday 5-8 p.m. at "WOODLAWN" Funeral Home, 600 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston. Burial will follow in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence then luncheon at the Annunciation Church. Donations in his memory may be made to The Annunciation Church Endowment Fund. For online condolences please visit www.WoodlawnGattone.com.