George E. Rodis, 87, of Gurnee passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on January 4th, 2017. George was born on the island of Crete, Greece on July 29th, 1929 in the village of Tavroniti, Kissamo, Chania. At the age of 23, with less than nothing in his pocket, he traveled by ship from Greece to Ellis Island in search of work and a better life here in America. After arriving in New York, he traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin where he worked at his beloved uncle’s restaurant. After working hard for his uncle and learning the restaurant business from his mentor, he took ownership of Tasty Lane Restaurant in North Chicago, Illinois from 1964-1978. It was at his successful restaurant where George would connect with many of his lifelong friends and give them the same opportunity to work, just as his uncle did for him. In 1956, George married the love of his life Olga and they had three wonderful children together: Elaine, Butch, and Buddy. George and Olga were married for over 60 years and spent everyday together working hard with their children and hosting their friends in their home. In 1978, George ventured into the liquor business by taking over a previous business and starting Rodis’ Sunset Liquors in Waukegan, Illinois with his two sons Butch and Buddy, and wife Olga. With little experience running a liquor store, they all worked hard together to build a successful business, which is celebrating nearly 40 years in operation. George believed in community and loved working and living in Waukegan. He cherished all his friends and especially his lifelong friendship with John and Effie Zygokostas, owners of Sunset House Restaurant, where George and Olga spent countless nights together after work in the company of George’s beloved brother Mihail and sister-in-law Evagelia. Known to generations of loyal Waukegan patrons as Mr. Rodis, George was respected by everyone who knew him and he always looked out for the less fortunate. He gave more to people than he spent on himself. He was a humble quiet man who never bragged, never talked poorly of anyone, never complained, and always found the good in people. In 1990, at the age of 61, George and his family purchased an 18-acre piece of property in Gurnee and built and developed Riverside Plaza. George worked hard for the next 27 years of his life alongside his children and plaza business owners – people who would become great friends. In 1998, George and Olga moved to Gurnee and their home continued to be a gathering place for their friends, family, 6 grandchildren, and 5 great-grand children. George was a longtime member and supporter of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church and the Pan Cretan Association of America. He loved his native Greece, but loved the United States even more. He was a man of few words and let his actions define him. With hard work and dedication, George lived the American dream, but his aspirations for success never overshadowed his love for his family. For all his accomplishments, people will remember him as a true family man who loved his wife unconditionally and spent each day with the people most important to him. The legacy of George Rodis will live on through his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and the many people he influenced throughout his wonderful life. He will be deeply missed by all those he touched. Beloved husband of Olga Rodis, father of daughter Elaine (Dino)
Kallianis, son Emanuel “Butch” Rodis, son Sophocles “Buddy” Rodis; grandchildren Dimitrios (Kristina) Kallianis, George (Jenna) Kallianis, Notah (Kosta) Karabatsos, George, Olga and Kosta Rodis; great grandchildren, Eleni, Deano, Constantine, Lainey and Annica Kallianis; brother Mihail Roditis, niece Elaine (George) Kallianis, Manoli (Zivile) Roditis of Hawaii and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Manoli and Eleni Roditakis nee Scoulothe; a brother Sophocles; sister-in-law Evagelia Roditis and his in-laws Lambros and Eleni nee Korakakis Petroulakis.
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