Peter George Poulos

Poulos, Peter George On Thursday morning, July 6, 2017 our dearly loved Father, Peter George Poulos was surrounded by his family as he joined our Mother, sister, and brother in heaven. The legacy our Father left for us started when Ponigioti Eliopoulos was born in the small Greek village of Kakouri to George and Theophany on July 20, 1935. Losing his Father to pneumonia when he was only four, Ponigioti took on responsibilities early in life by helping his family while also attending school. Shortening his name when he arrived to America in June of 1952, Peter moved to Muskegon, Michigan to live with his uncle and aunt. Taking a year to learn English from a retired English teacher before attending Muskegon High School, Peter graduated with honors in 1956. Afterwards he moved to Grand Rapids, where he worked for Kinney Shoes. Drafted into the U.S. Army in December 1958, Pete was stationed at Fort Hood in Texas, receiving many commendation medals during his two year tour. On December 8, 1960 with the rank of SP4, Pete received an honorable discharge. Before enlisting, Pete had met Charlene Grimes in Grand Rapids while he was working at Kinney's, and they married on September 5, 1959 in Killeen, Texas. It was a marriage that lasted over 50 years. After moving back to Michigan Pete managed Kinney Shoes until he bought his first restaurant, the Coney Island in Muskegon. Living in Muskegon for nine years, Pete was very involved with the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, and was a member of the AHEPA. In 1969, Pete moved to Ann Arbor to open Frank’s Restaurant with his brother-in-law Frank Petropoulos. A few years later Pete bought the Delta Restaurant at State and Packard, a favorite for University of Michigan sports teams. In 1983, Pete sold the Delta and later returned to Frank’s. All of his regular customers found him back behind the grill, doing what he enjoyed. Personally preparing each meal, Pete loved pleasing others. The relationship he had with people was strong and everlasting. Forced into retirement in July 2012 after a fall at work and fracturing his neck, Pete never had the chance to thank all of his customers and friends in the manner he had hoped for. He truly valued each and every person he got to know throughout the years. Aside from his career, Pete and Charlene had five children. He always found the time to take his children to the lake and Cedar Point in the summer, University of Michigan sporting events, and AHEPA conventions. Cherishing any time he had with his family, Pete worked seven days a week with very little time off. Pete was so proud to take his family to Greece, sharing with them life in his homeland. It was a time that was always cherished and reflected upon. We will forever remember our Dad and Papou as a loving and honorable man who was the embodiment of the American Dream. Sadly he became very ill over the past few years, and despite all of the pain and suffering he always enjoyed spending time with his family and hearing from his friends. Pete will be greatly missed by his loving family, Julie (Allen) Williams, George (Sharon), and Athena Garland-Poulos, his grandchildren Alexander and Kathleen Williams, Peter and Morgan Poulos, John Poulos, Michael and Nicholas Garland, and Isabella Poulos. He was preceded in death by his wife Charlene, his daughter Theophany, his son John, and his sisters Georgia Kanakaris, Kostula Katsigiannis, and Chrisanthi Petropoulos. We will always remember our Dad’s smile and his words of wisdom. His legacy lives within us and will be passed on for generations. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 10th from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. at the Muehligs Funeral Chapel at 403 South Fourth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 with the Trisagion service at 7:30 p.m performed by Father Nicolaos H. Kotsis. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, July 11th at 11 a.m. at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 3109 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor, MI. 48103 with Father Nicolaos H. Kotsis officiating. Interment will be at Forest Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 3109 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor, MI. 48103.