Emmanuel George Zavolas - Obituary

mmanuel George Zavolas (“Manny”), 74, of Arlington, VA passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family on June 20, 2026 after a long battle with kidney disease. Emmanuel is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Toni (Gomes) Zavolas; his devoted children, Marion (Nickolas) and Victoria; his treasured grandchildren, Theodore and Thomas; his loving brother Nick (Debbie); and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Evdoxia, and his beloved sister, Gloria (George). Manny was born on September 3, 1951 in New Kensington, PA to George and Evdoxia (Spanidis) Zavolas. He was the youngest of three children. He made friends in New Kensington, PA that became family. He never forgot his small town of New Kensington, PA and made sure to instill those happy memories in his children with annual trips to Kennywood. His stories of car racing over the bridge into New Kensington will never be forgotten. Manny was a standout football and baseball player at Valley High School in New Kensington, PA. After his sister, Gloria, settled in the DC area, the family followed soon after where they begin their next chapter in Arlington, VA. He graduated from Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, VA in 1969 and continued his education at Northern Virginia Community College where he joined Phi Delta fraternity and made lifelong friends. It was also during this time that he met the love of his life, Toni. He continued his studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York in the early 1970’s where he spoke fondly of his time in Bay Ridge, NY, and the people who made New York feel like home. In 1974, he returned home to Arlington, VA where he worked for the Arlington County Police Department, but he transitioned shortly after when his cousin, Michael Spanidis, introduced him to the Washington, D.C. restaurant scene, where he became a charismatic and loved bartender at the Club Down Under for ten years. After his time at the club, he worked as an investigator for the Department of Defense before partnering with his brother at Bailey’s Crossroads Auto Body, where he would begin his lifelong career. Manny was a spirited and loved frontman who ran the office. He will always be remembered for his big voice and infectious smile. Before marrying Toni In 1988 at Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, Manny built the home he raised his family in, where they still live today. Manny loved a project from working on cars to tinkering at his beach house in Ocean City, Maryland where he famously never went to the beach, but walked around with his tool belt instead. Manny loved his people- his friends, family, and his beloved daughters. But nothing softened him more than his treasured grandsons, Theodore and Thomas, who came along in his retirement years. He enjoyed slower days in his retirement years where he enjoyed his pontoon boat, afternoons on the patio, watching sports, fishing, and his grandsons. Manny brought joy and kindness to everyone who knew him. His legacy lives on through the family he loved, the values he instilled, and the lives he touched. He will be deeply missed and always remembered. May his memory be eternal. Funeral Services A celebration of Emmanuel’s life will be held on Friday, June 26th at Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church located at 3149 Glen Carlyn Rd, Falls Church, VA 22041. The visitation will be from 9-10AM with the funeral service beginning at 10AM. The interment will follow (11:30AM) at Pleasant Valley Memorial Park located at 8420 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003. Following the graveside service (1PM), the family invites you to join them for a memorial luncheon (makaria) to honor the memory of Emmanuel at the Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church Hall.