Gus Afendoulis passed away on May 27th, 2019. It is hard to describe this warm and gentle man who was so beloved by all. Gus was a man of many talents; a loving and involved family man, veteran, successful business owner, builder, bridge Life Master and so much more. Gus was born in 1924 to Stathi and Vasiliki Afendoulis. He graduated from Central High School in Grand Rapids in 1943. After serving in WWII, he returned to Grand Rapids. He married Anna Haspas, earned his degree from Aquinas College and started the well-known Afendoulis Cleaners with his brothers. Throughout his career, he volunteered at his parish, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, and many community organizations including the Grand Rapids Civic Theater, where he ushered and built sets. When he retired to Clearwater Beach with Anna, he kept busy directing bridge and building amazing birdhouses for family and friends.
After the passing of Anna, Gus lived in Raleigh where he was known as “Papou” or grandfather to many in the community. Even in his 90’s, he was active. He worked side-by-side at daughter Vicki and son-in-law Charles’ business, CE Rental, with Lena Hua whom he called his “adopted daughter.” He loved to help his dear friends Linda and Bob Giglio (Raleigh, NC) at their business. He sang in various church choirs for 67 years… and was upset when the young people could not get there in time for the start of liturgy. He said, “If I can do it, you can too.”
He will be remembered as a wonderful man who stayed active, busy and engaged, and enjoyed life. The last two years, Gus returned to Clearwater Beach, FL. He was preceded in death by his wife Anna, brothers George (Bertha) and Sam (Tina) his sister Alexandria Athans (Tom)
He is survived by his daughter Vicki and her husband Charles Phaneuf, grandson Charles Phaneuf (Emily), daughter Cynthia Kay Afendoulis, and son Stephen Afendoulis (Bess) and grandsons Peter and Gregory; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. They include; Maria (James) Landon, Dean (Elena) Athans, Stathi Afendoulis, Georgia (Doug) Everse. Chris (Phyllis) Afendoulis, Becky (Eric) Trierweiler, Katie Afendoulis, Lynn Afendoulis and Katharine Zuiderveen (Gus called her “my travel buddy”.)
Gus will be remembered as a kind and humble man who rarely took credit for any of his good works. He was unceasingly grateful to all for even the smallest gesture. He got up every day with a smile and always thanked God for giving him one more day. And so we pray, O Lord, give him rest in a place of light, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment where there is no pain, sorrow or suffering. May his memory be eternal.
Visitation will be at from 5 to 7PM on Friday, May 31 at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, Trisagion at 6:30PM. Funeral service will be Saturday, June 1 at 10AM at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 330 Lakeside Drive NE, Grand Rapids.Rev. James Berends officiating. Interment Restlawn Cemetery.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Choir Fund, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 5000 Lead Mine Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612 or Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 330 Lakeside Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
14 Responses
My very special”boyfriend “ Gus will be so fondly remembered in all hearts he touched. Our favorite choir member in Raleigh! Memory eternal and love and prayers to all the family.
Keeping you close in our hearts, our thoughts and prayers for the loss of your beloved father, Gus. May your memories of your dad bring you peace, comfort and strength.
Our deepest sympathy.
I am so sorry to hear about our dear Papou. He was such a kind presence and one of the reasons Del and I felt comfortable making the move to Holy Trinity. I can still see him in the back row of the choir. May his memory be eternal!
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF THE FAMILY. WE WILL MISS GUS IN THE CHOIR…MAY HIS MEMORY BE EVERLASTING.
Alex and Gen
I remember Gus with great and happy times. He will be sorely missed by his many friends and the people he helped over many years.
May his memory be eternal and God give all the Grace to endure this loss.
A sweet, bright light now shines in heaven. My Dearest Theo Gussie will always have a special place in my thoughts and heart! I cherish him and his uniqueness. May he rest in peace and His Memory be Eternal!
I got to know Gus working at CE Rental while I was in high school. As a close friend of Gus’s grandson, Charles, I also got to visit Clearwater on a spring break trip….Gus was such a generous spirit and will be greatly missed. Sending prayers out to the Afendoulis and Phaneuf families…
We up in the Holy Trinity choir loft will miss Papou. His devotion, kind heart, and playful sense of humor were such an important part of the spirit of our group. Sending much love and many prayers, May his memory be eternal.
His time with us in Raleigh will always be treasured as we will never forget his smile, his love, his warmth, his joy. We marveled as we saw him every Sunday up in the choir and as he came down to receive Communion. May he now be singing with the angelic choirs in a place of light and a place of rest. May his memory be eternal. We send love and prayers to all the family.
Gus was such a dear man who will be missed by everyone who came to know him. Keeping the whole family in our prayers – may you find peace in knowing he is at rest.
Cynthia and Family – I am so sorry for your loss. I hope some of your wonderful memories with your father, grandfather, uncle and friend will help comfort you right now.
Dear Vicki, Cynthia Kay, and Steve,
A life well lived, and a loving legacy to pass down to his family, such a blessing for all of you.
I can picture your dad at the cleaners, and at church, always with a smile and kind words for everyone.
Richard joins me in extending our sincere sympathy to all of your family. May his memory be eternal,
I am so sorry to hear about your precious father. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for moving him to Raleigh so we could experience his kind and joyful spirit. What an amazing friend to all of us May his memory be eternal!
Love to all of you. Lekita Essa
I met Gus 20++ years ago, when Vicki owned CE Rental and he was back in the laundry (he would always say, “Can you believe she has this old man back here, working like a dog!” Talk about love at first sight!!! Whenever I went to the store, I headed back to see Gus first, get a hug and be the recipient of one of his fabulous stories. I never saw him when he wasn’t happy! The last time I was with him was at Charles and Emily’s Wedding and Reception last year. I KNOW he was happier than anyone there! My deepest sympathy and love to Vicki and Charles and Emily and Charles. Men like Gus simply don’t come
along often, if ever.