James S. Mellekas

Middletown, RI - James Mellekas, 88, of 22 Willow Avenue, Middletown, died Friday, October 3, 2014 surrounded by his family at Newport Hospital in Newport, RI. He was the husband of the late Efstratia "Toula" (Sologiozy) Mellekas. Born on Clarke Street in Newport, RI on November 27, 1925 he was the son of the late Stavros and Bessie (Moutos) Mellekas. He graduated from Rogers High School in 1943. He was drafted into the US Navy and began service in WWII in the Pacific Theater. His service ended with honorable discharge in 1946. Upon his return to Newport he began work at the Paradise Lounge as co-owner. He met Efstratia and they married in 1949 in the Bahamas, followed by a wedding at St. Spyridon on Christmas Day, 1949. Later in his career he purchased the Odyssey Restaurant on Thames Street with his brother John which they ran successfully for 18 years. Throughout his life he was a dedicated member of St. Spyridon Church, where he served on the Parish Council for many years, with a term as Council President. He received the Clergy Laity Award, given to a parish member for their contributions to the Church. He enjoyed racquetball with his brother, sons, and friends for many years. James enjoyed many trips to Greece to visit his family homeland on the island of Lesvos, Greece. He was dedicated to his wife, children, and his wonderful grandchildren. He is survived by his children, Bessie Christos Paipetis of Athens, Greece, Steven James Mercedes C. Mellekas of Newport, RI, Zinovia Greg Canale of Portsmouth, RI, Sotoria Fred Montanari of Granby, CT, and Gregory James Maria Mellekas of Newport, RI, his brother John Mellekas and his wife Martha of Newport, his sisters Ourania Kastritis and her late husband Paul of California, Maria Kosmos and her husband Steve of California, his grandchildren, Euridice Tsakonos and her husband Nikos, John James Paipetis, John Canale, James Steve Mellekas, James Canale, Elizabeth Montanari, Nicholas Steve Mellekas, James Gregory Mellekas, Efstratia Mellekas, Mercedes Mellekas, Christopher Canale and Asimakis Gregory Mellekas, his godchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as many extended family and friends, here and in Greece.Calling hours will be held on Monday, October 6, from 4:00-7:00pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.His funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 7, at 9:00am from the Memorial Funeral Home, with a funeral service at 10:00 am in St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, 390 Thames Street, Newport, RI. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park, Howland Avenue, Middletown.Memorial donations may be made to St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 427, Newport, RI 02840. Cemetery Details Newport Memorial Park Vaucluse Avenue Middletown, RI, Visitation OCT 6. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Service OCT 7. 10:00 AM St. Spyridons Greek Orthodox Church 390 Thames Street Newport, RI, US