James Gavros

1933 - 2017

James Elias Gavros

July 12, 1933 - January 21, 2017

James (Demetrios) Elias Gavros, longtime resident of San Mateo, passed away peacefully at home in his sleep on Saturday, January 21st.

Known for his gregarious spirit and generous ways, his love for the Greek Orthodox faith, language, folk dance and culture played a very important role throughout his life.

James was born in Vervena, Arcadias, Greece in 1933 to Elias and Styliani Gavros and was the eldest of four children. He emigrated to the United States in 1956 as a young man looking for a better life. He loved Greece and loved America.

After first arriving in New York, James made his way by train to meet his relatives in San Francisco, then serving in the U. S. Army for over two years.

He and his beloved wife Yvonne were the proud owners of Jim's Ocean Beach Café in San Francisco during the 1970's. It was truly a family endeavor. He was blessed to be an entrepreneur, living the immigrant's dream of opportunity, hard work, and success.

James ushered for many years at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross in Belmont and served as past President of the United Arcadians Chapter 35 of San Francisco.

He is survived by his loving wife Yvonne of 53 years; devoted children: Vivian, Julia (fiancé James Curran) & Electra Iatridis (Peter); grandchildren: Eleni & Dimitra, Nicole & Melanie, Aphrodite & Constantine; sisters: Paraskevi Kodoyiannopoulou of Greece, and Eleftheria Psittas (Dino) of San Francisco; sister-in-law Giannoula Gavros of Canada; cousin Arthur Lidstrom of Sonoma; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives in Canada, New York, and Greece. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother George Gavros of Canada.

He had a passion for tending his vegetable garden and shared its bounty graciously with family and friends.

The family wishes to give special thanks to Ken Petelo for his kindness and care to James during his final months.

The Trisagion Service will be held on Thursday, January 26th at 7pm followed by a Funeral Service at 10:30am on Friday, January 27th. All services will be held at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross, 900 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont, CA. Interment to follow at the Greek Orthodox Memorial Park in Colma, CA.

Memorial donations can be made to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross in Belmont or the Life Giving Spring Monastery Building Fund, P.O. Box 549, Dunlap, CA 93621.