This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Velis, Speropoulou, Velissaropoulos
Classification: Obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/XQB.2ACE/145
Message Board Post:
Speros N. Velis (Sam), 75, died July 26, 2005 peacefully from natural causes with loved
ones by his side. Sam was born on February 10, 1930 in McGill, Nevada to Nicholas and Anna
Speropoulou Velissaropoulos. As an infant Sam returned with his family to their native
Akrata, Greece, which he always considered home, returning to the U.S. after WW II, and
proudly serving our country in the Korean War. He married Jeanne J. Garcia in 1960, and
lived in Ogden until 1979. After touring Greece and Australia, Sam and Jean have lived in
Salt Lake City ever since. Sam dedicated his life to the nightclub and restaurant industry
- namely the El Chico and Volume One. He knew how to throw a party and was known to gamble
until he won. He had a love for all people and always enjoyed a good joke. He is survived
by his loving wife of 45 years, daughter Anna Marie (Jone) Pezely, loving grandsons Jon
Louis and William, and spitfire granddaughter, Jeannie Frances Pezely, all of Salt Lak e
City; si!
ster Soteria Soteropoulos, Akrata, Greece and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in
death by his parents and brothers, Alex and Bob. Funeral services will be on Saturday,
July 30, 11:00 a.m., at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 279 South 300 West,
SLC, UT. A viewing will be held on Friday night at Neil O'Donnell and Sons Mortuary,
372 East 100 South, from 6 to 8 p.m. with the prayer service at 7:30. Interment, Mount
Olivet Cemetery, 1342 East 500 South. A heartfelt thanks to the ICU at SLRMC, an extra
special thanks to nurses Sue and Mary, and Dr. John Luras. In lieu of flowers please
donate in Sam's name to the restoration fund of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox
Cathedral, 279 S. 300 W., SLC, UT 84101.
Published in the Standard-Examiner from 7/28/2005 - 7/29/2005.