Constantine Zarpas - Obituary

onstantine "Gus" Zarpas passed away on July 30,2011 in Alexandria, Virginia, exactly a week after hosting a memorial luncheon in remembrance of his beloved Lillie, his wife of 71 years. Gus was born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, on February 23, 1918, to Nicholas and Anthitsa Zarpas who had come from Chios, Greece to settle there. He was one of five brothers - Steve, Gus, Mike, Sam and Ted - who, by Gus's own account, enjoyed a happy childhood until tragedy struck the family. Both parents died within a few months of each other, leaving their boys to be raised by relatives. Gus was an enthusiastic outdoorsman who throughout his long life enjoyed the hunting and fishing he had first experienced at his father's side. From his mom, whom he adored, he learned Greek cooking. He loved making baklava, and made his last batch for Lillie's memorial. Every year at Christmas, he gifted friends and family with jars of pickled summer tomatoes he made from his mother's recipe. Gus loved to play golf, and once owned and operated a golf driving range in Maryland. His long career also included real estate and restaurants, and a stint in the Navy as a young man during which he served as a ship's cook. Gus often said the years he spent as a waiter at one of Washington DC's leading hotels, where he served power brokers and politicians, provided for him a priceless education. He had an astonishing memory and, as a natural and avid storyteller, loved to recount those days. He was especially proud of the seminal moment when, as he claimed, he reported an overheard conversation to the White House and was able to help thwart plans to derail President Truman's election. Gus loved people - and people, from the oldest to the youngest, loved him back! He had a special gift for connecting with people, making friends everywhere he went in the world, staying in touch with them through the years, and bringing them together in one big "Uncle Gus" fan club. He will be missed by so many, including his four nieces and four nephews, the children of his brothers Mike and Sam, as well as eleven grand-nieces, nine grand-nephews, and one tiny great-grand-niece he loved to call "Princess Grace." Memorial services for Gus, the last of the five Zarpas brothers, will be planned for a later date. Gus loved people - and people, from the oldest to the youngest, loved him back! He had a special gift for connecting with people, making friends everywhere he went in the world, staying in touch with them through the years, and bringing them together in one big "Uncle Gus" fan club. He will be missed by so many, including his four nieces and four nephews, the children of his brothers Mike and Sam, as well as eleven grand-nieces, nine grand-nephews, and one tiny great-grand-niece he loved to call "Princess Grace." Memorial services for Gus, the last of the five Zarpas brothers, will be planned for a later date. Please sign the guestbook