Dr. Stamelos was born in Athens, Greece, in 1946. He immigrated to Chicago in 1952 along with his parents, George and Kanela, and his younger brother Bill. They first traveled by ship, the US Constitution, and were processed through Elis Island. Dr. Stamelos was educated in the Chicago Public Schools, attending Lane Tech High School, Wright Junior College and matriculating to Northwestern University, where he was awarded a Bachelors of Arts in Biological Sciences in 1967.
Upon graduation from Northwestern, he returned to his birth country to study medicine, graduating from the University of Athens in 1971 as a Doctor of Medicine. This was the start of Dr. Stamelos’ global reputation as an orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Stamelos returned to Chicago in 1973, serving as a surgical intern at Illinois Masonic and completing his residency at Cook County Hospital in orthopedic surgery. After earning his board certification in orthopedic surgery, he went on to serve as Director of Orthopedics at Jackson Park Hospital, Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Thorek Hospital and Chief of Surgery at Sacred Heart Hospital.
He served as the president of the Hellenic Medical Society, and published articles on orthopedic surgery in American and European peer-reviewed medical journals. Dr. Stamelos pioneered arthroscopic spine surgery in the Midwest, and was regularly featured on television on laser orthopedic surgical procedures.
In 1998 he was awarded board certification as an orthopedic surgeon in the 15 European Union countries. According to one colleague, Dr. Stamelos was a healer, who cared for every patient, even those who were unable to pay. In the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Dr. Stamelos traveled to Port-au-Prince at his own expense, living in a tent in an improvised medical camp in the Haiti capital. He performed hundreds of orthopedic surgeries on earthquake victims who had been injured in collapsing buildings.
Dr. Stamelos married his wife Angeliki (Kiki) in 1983. They had three beautiful children together, Amanda, George, and Rebecca. As they recollect, their father was their biggest fan; always putting them first and giving them never ending confidence. Dr. Stamelos loved his work – but was happiest when the family was sleeping under the same roof.
Funeral services will be private, however, the Funeral can be viewed live on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 9am, by visiting http://www.st.georgechicago.net. Interment to follow at Ridgewood Memorial Park in Des Plaines, and the graveside service can also be viewed by visiting www.https://www.facebook.com/jgadinamis. Memorial tributes made in Spiros’ name may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church.
May His Memory Be Eternal.
Doc was a true friend and I will always be thankful for all the things he did for my family and co workers he will be missed we love you doctor stamelos for everything you’ve done to help us through lifes challenges may jesus take you home and bless you for eternity your friend red redshaulingservice@yahoo.com
My deepest condolences to the Stamelos family.
Truly a great, caring, hard working man who worked endless hours selflessly caring for his patients and attending to his family. May God rest his soul in a place of peace.☦
Doc was a great doctor and a great friend. There was never a time I would call him that he didn’t say come in right away and let me look at you. He certainly a very given man, my condolences to the entire family he will be surely missed. May he Rest In Peace, ????????????????
My heartfelt condolences to the Stamelos family. Dr Stamelos was a dear friend and trusted advisor. He worked tirelessly to help the less fortunate and heal the sick. May God rest his soul. His friendship will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.
What a magnificent tribute to an incredible man! Please accept our deepest condolences. Our hearts are with your family, especially our beloved Rebecca, Rachael’s dear friend. With deepest compassion, The Bokota family
He was the most amazing man. I have no doubt I will see him again. I was blessed to have him be a huge part of my life my family life for 35 years. He was a man among men. He was a healer. He stored up so many gifts in heaven he cared was more than a Dr he was a gift to this world from God. I will forever keep his memories close to my heart. His heart & soul was like no other. He did not get the credit here on earth. We might not ever know… Read more »
I feel that Spiro was literally “one of a kind”. He was caring, empathic and devoted to his family, friends and of all of his patients. Over the years I enjoyed each and everyone of our interacts. His generosity to the parish of St. George was endless, all you had to do was ask. His Mom and Dad were some of the first people in Chicago that my parents meet when they immigrated from Greece. To all of his family you have the Stotis Family’s deepest condolences. May Spiro’s memory be eternal.
To all of the family i like give you sincere deepest condolences on your lost of the Doctor stamelos i did get to know him very well i spend 20 years going to see him in is office he did perform 15 surgeries on me all of them successful yes i was very hard on my body but he save me without him i would not be here today my heart is sad today i just hear of his passing God has taken a very good man from us but i am sure god needed him in haven to do… Read more »