Gregory Tolios Obituary

Gregory Tolios, age 88, of Naperville, well-loved and a man of faith, passed peacefully early Thursday morning, October 24, 2024.

Beloved husband of Leah, nee Katsoulis; most loving and devoted father to John Tolios and Tina (Peter) Antonopoulos; adored grandfather to Victoria; brother of Katerina (late Athanasios); proceeded in death by brother Angelo (Pat); cherished brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend to a large community of loved ones.

Gregory lived a kind and peaceful life, working hard to provide for his family, which was the core of his existence. Born in 1935, to John and Stamata, he grew up in Kostarazi, a small village in the northern part of Greece. Seeking greater opportunities, Greg left Greece for the United States in 1955. Gregory found employment with his brother Angelo in a Chicago bakery. He later found work in the restaurant industry; in the mid-seventies he opened Blue Hill Bar and The Hillside Restaurant in Lemont, Illinois.

In 1962, on a blind date at a Holy Apostles church picnic, Gregory met his beautiful bride, Eleftheria “Leah”, who he forever cherished. Together, with their loving children, Tina and John, they lived a life rooted in the faith, filled with celebrations, and family gatherings.

In addition to his love for the Lord and his extended family, Gregory loved sports. He was a soccer goalie for his regional team in Greece. When he migrated to the United States, he followed many sports and became an avid baseball fan, loving the Chicago White Sox. At any given time, Gregory could tell you the score of any Chicago team.

His greatest “hara” (joy) was time spent with his family — especially his granddaughter, Victoria. Along with his bride, nothing brought him more happiness than family gatherings, holidays, celebrating milestones, and building memories with loved ones.

A monument of strength, kindness and serenity, Greg lived a joyful life. May his peaceful nature and most loving memory live eternally with our Lord.

Visitation for Gregory Tolios will be held Saturday, October 26, 2024 at St. John Chrysostomos Orthodox Monastery, 4600 93rd St., Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin 53158 from 9:30 a.m. until time of the Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m. Interment will immediately follow at the monastery cemetery. Because of Gregory’s unwavering faith and dedication to the monastery, the family is asking that in lieu of flowers, memorials in his name be made to St. John Chrysostomos Orthodox Monastery. Arrangements entrusted to Chris J. Balodimas, Funeral Director. For funeral information 708-F-U-N-E-R-A-L.