Stratos George Vlahos

VLAHOS, Stratos George, age 82 of Oakwood passed away Wednesday, May 27, 2009. Stratos was a retired civil servant, having worked at Wright-Patterson AFB as a flight line heavy mobile equipment mechanic. He and his family emigrated from Greece and came to the United States in 1966, in order to provide his children a better life, and a greater opportunity at education. Stratos was born Efstratios George Vlahos in the village of Paleochori, Arcadia, Greece. He was raised in Greece during a time of world crisis and great national turmoil, having lived through the invasion and occupation of Germany, as well as the Greek Civil War that followed WWII. One of the most difficult times of his life came when he served as an infantryman during the Greek Civil War because he fought against his own countrymen. While this was difficult for him, he firmly believed in the fight for Democracy against Communism that threatened to overtake Greece at that time. Stratos was a very outgoing man. He enjoyed meeting new friends and could hold a conversation with anyone. Stratos had a passion for cooking and dancing. His Greek recipes rivaled the best, and he enjoyed cooking hundreds of trays of Moussaka during the annual Greek festival. Stratos was also owner of Apollo Restaurant, which he founded near the Oregon District in the mid 70s. He was one of the most animated Greek dancers during the annual World Affair at the Dayton Convention Center. Stratos was preceded in death by his parents, George and Asimo, his brother Pete, and his sister Yota. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Vasiliki, brother John and his wife Soula; son Pete and his wife Jane; son George and his wife Suzanne; daughter Stella Franchina and her husband Joe; granddaughters Alexia, Vasiliki (Leah), and Helen and numerous nephews, nieces, and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, June 1, 2009 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 500 Belmonte Park North, with Father Mark Emroll officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, Sunday, May 31, 2009 at the Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd, Kettering, with Trisagion prayers at 5:00 PM. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.routsong.com.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429