Gus Panos

Gus Panos, aged 82, passed away surrounded by loved ones on September 12, 2018. He was born in Nestani Tripoli, Greece, on August 28,1936, to Pete and Vasiliki Panos. He married Helen Panos in 1970 and they were happily married for 41 years before her passing in 2010. They raised four children together, John, Vasiliki, the late Gus Jr., and Pete Panos.

At 14 years of age, Gus immigrated to the United States from Greece in search of the American dream. He had a passion for cuisine and was an avid entrepreneur who proudly owned many restaurants and businesses. He was most famously acknowledged for his dedication to the Monterey Steakhouse in San Jose, which he honorably owned and ran with his three brothers, Pete, the late John Sr., and George. He was also known and admired for his ownership of the Golden Oak restaurant in Morgan Hill, which was recognized as one of the top-rated restaurants in California.

In 1979, Gus and Helen purchased a 10 acre parcel of land in the foothills of Gilroy and built their dream home where they lived with their children. Gus continued to be actively involved in restaurants, rental properties, and his successful mortgage business, and RV storage facility. In the 1980s he received his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying his own plane and loved traveling to Reno to play his favorite game of blackjack. He shared an overall love of traveling with Helen, and they traveled often together. Their most memorable trips were vacationing to Greece and exploring the Parthenon, and to New York where they adored watching Broadway shows. Gus owned several prized race horses in the 1990s and he loved spending quality time often with the family at the races. He found joy in throwing extravagant holiday parties and barbecues, which were always attended by his family, friends, and his grandchildren. It has been said by those who knew and loved him: “They don’t make them like Gus anymore.” He was definitely a one-of-a-kind, outgoing, and charismatic man who found easygoing relationships and conversation wherever he went.

He is survived by his brothers Pete and Toula (wife) Panos; George and Toula (wife) Panos; many nieces and nephews; his son John Panos and Heather (wife); daughter Vasiliki Panos, and his five grandchildren, Alexis, Elena, and Johnny Panos, and Crystal and Nicole Paul.

Gus will be greatly missed by his entire family and lifelong friends for the everlasting future.

On Friday, September 21st, there will be a Trisagion service at 7 p.m. at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 1260 Davis Street, San Jose Ca, 95126. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 22nd at 10 a.m. at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in San Jose, followed by burial at Oak Hill Memorial Park at 12 p.m. There will be a luncheon following the burial at 1 p.m. at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church building fund:(408) 246-2770.