Paul Stamos (born Apostolis Stamatelos) passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Lincolnwood, Illinois, where he resided for more than 61 years with the love of his life Helen née Spiropoulos. He was 91.
He was preceded in death by his parents Panayiotis and Panayiota of Achladokambos and his brother Angelo of Columbia, South Carolina. Paul emigrated in 1951 from the small village of Achladokambos near Argos in eastern Peloponnesus, Greece at age 19. He is survived by his devoted wife Helen, of 65 years, who lovingly referred to Paul as “Her Knight In Shining Armor”, three children, Mary Beth, Peter (Gina) and Van (Beth) Stamos, five grandchildren Lainy (Chris) Field, Christy Stamos, Jennifer Stamos, Alexander Paul Stamos, Zachary Evan Stamos and a great grandson Jack Peter Field, brothers Gus and John, sister in law Jackie (Angelo) Stamos.
Paul attended the Illinois Institute of Technology and studied Engineering. Over the course of more than 50 years, Paul built and grew his business, Store Equipment Company, Inc, a store fixture/construction organization serving the restaurant industry, as the president and owner during the majority of that time.
At the same time Paul was deeply committed to and involved in his community. He was a longtime volunteer and the President of St. Demetrios Church of Chicago and the Lincolnwood Lions Club and held leadership positions within multiple other service organizations including the Shoreline Chapter of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the United Hellenic American Congress, and the Brotherhood of Achladokambiton ‘St. Demetrios’. He was always very involved in his children’s lives including participation with Indian Princesses and as league director and coach of Lincolnwood Little League Baseball when they were young.
He was an avid golfer achieving 2 holes in one and played in tournaments all around the US and even returned to Peloponnesus, Greece to play golf in 2013 . He enjoyed good quality time working in his garden and took great pride in his yearly vegetable harvest . He was a huge baseball fan who was initially devoted to the Chicago White Sox but ultimately the Chicago Cubs became his favorite team to watch.
His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him. Paul was a kind and grateful man, who recently said, “I’ve had a great fulfilling life and I wouldn’t change anything”.
Visitation Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 9:00 AM until time of Funeral Service at 10:00 AM at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2727 West Winona Street, Chicago. The Funeral Service may be viewed live or recorded at St. Demetrios YouTube channel. Interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, IL. The Graveside Service may be viewed live or recorded at Memory Eternal’s Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Saint Demetrios Church. Arrangements by Memory Eternal Funeral Directors, Ltd. (847) 375-0095.
May his Memory be Eternal