Spiros Fokas Obituary

Spiros Fokas MAVRATA, KEFALONIA, GREECE - On Friday, December 23rd, our community lost a rather exceptional individual: Spiros Fokas, born in Mavrata, Kefalonia, Greece, on August 15, 1932. He was the youngest of seven in a poor family, working hard from a young age to help support it. In his early years he met the girl who would become his beacon - Irene. He expressed his love for her in his early 20s and remained steadfast in that love until the day he died. After serving in the Greek Navy, he arrived in Charleston, SC at the age of 31 in 1963. A combination of hard work and kindness together served to build the foundation of a long and successful career in business. This career began with a grocery store on America Street in Charleston and continued from 1972 with Old Towne Restaurant on King Street, the oldest family-run restaurant in Charleston at the time of its closure during Covid lockdowns in 2020. He and his wife built a strong community of friends both on the island of Kefalonia and in Charleston. Throughout his life he communicated to his family a strong work ethic, the importance of education, and the value of friendship, commitment to family, justice, and forgiveness. He died peacefully in Greece with his wife and three of his children by his side and all of his family close in spirit. He is survived by his beloved wife, Irene; his children, Rania (Gerasimos), Athan (Antonia), Effie (Angelos) and Dena (John); his eleven grandchildren - Andrew, Niki, Spiro, Niko, Pano, Zander, Leo, Irini, Spiro, Maria, and Renna; his great-grandchild, Evi; and many nieces and nephews. The funeral was held on Tuesday, December 27, at the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Mavrata, Kefalonia, Greece. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name can be made to the Building Fund at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Charleston, SC. https://www.gocharleston.org/give. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston