Antonios T. Pitsilos
April 4, 1931 - April 17, 2021
Newburgh, New York
Antonios Pitsilos was born on the island of Andros, Greece in April of 1931 to Orsalia and Theophilos Pitsilos. Antonios was the youngest of 3, with two older sisters, Mary and Koula. Theophilos died when Antonios was six months old, and his mother sent him to live with his aunt in Piraeus, Greece. Antonios spent time in the Grecian army and obtained an honorable discharge.
In 1956, he met the love of his life, Eleni Syrmis. They were engaged prior to Eleni's emigration to the United States, but she returned to Greece to marry Antonios in 1957. Unfortunately, Antonios could not get a visa until 1960, when he finally came to the United States and was reunited with his bride Eleni. He worked various jobs once arriving, but finally settled working in the restaurant industry. He learned to speak English by watching the New York Mets, which began his lifelong love of the Mets and baseball. In 1986, he spent Game 6 of the World Series cheering on the Mets against the Red Sox in a bar in Boston, much to the aggravation of majority Red Sox fans in the bar with him. Thankfully, his wife was there to save him. The Mets won the game, and ultimately won the World Series that year.
In 1961, his only child, Penelope, was born. Everything he did from that point on was to provide for his daughter, including finding the best schools and nurturing environments he could afford. Antonios was never a rich man, but he was always rich in spirit. In 1990, Penelope married Eugene Normoyle, and six years later, Antonios and Eleni moved in with Penelope and Eugene, a living situation that would remain for the rest of Antonios and Eleni's lives.
His granddaughter, Kristen, was born in 1997. He would do anything for his granddaughter, picking her up from school, teaching her to speak Greek, giving her money whenever she would bring home a "100" on a test, and eventually teaching her how to drive. He was extremely proud of her academic and cultural achievements.
Antonios was a quiet, reserved man who worked hard in whatever he did and always offered his help to his favorite son-in-law whenever needed. He was disappointed when age prevented him from doing duties around the house or yard, as he was still shoveling snow well past his 80th birthday. He was tireless in caring for his wife of 63 years as her health declined the past few years until her death in Feb. 2020. After a very short illness, Antonios passed away at the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence, surrounded by his immediate family, on April 17, 2021. He is survived by his daughter Penelope, her husband Eugene, his granddaughter Kristen, his beloved granddog Riley and many beloved nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence of Newburgh. Their care and support made this difficult time much easier to endure for both Antonios and his family, and they cannot be thanked enough.
Our sorrow will be forever with us as we remember you as Dad, Tony, and Papou.