BORDENTOWN Efstratios M. Banis, 83, died June 18 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton.
He was born Oct. 4, 1924, in Mytiline, Greece. After serving in the Greek Army, he moved to Sao Paulo, Brazil. His bride, the late Maria Mamolou Banis, joined him in Brazil. Together they lived in Brazil for approximately 10 years.
His occupation was in automotive and marine engines. In 1964, he moved his family back to their mother country, Greece. They were very involved in their Greek Orthodox Faith and their community. In November 1967, the family immigrated to the United States and became naturalized citizens, where their youngest daughter Joanna was born in Trenton. The family are faithful members of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Hamilton.
He worked hard as a cook in the local restaurant industry, most of his years being at Town & Country Diner and Burlington Diner.
He is survived by his wife, Maria Iliopulou Banis; children, Olga and Anthony Stratis, Nektarios and Eleni Banis, Barbara and Achilles Lambriodes, Irene and Emanuel Rigas, and Joanna and Peter Hovling; 11 grandchildren, John, Maria, George, Maria, Teddy, Marissa, George, Efstratios, Jack, Adam and Theodore. He is also survived by his sister Irene Armenakis; brothers, George, Argiry, and Jimmy Banis, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The funeral was Monday at St. George Greek Orthodox Church.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1200 Klockner Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619.