Antonios (Tony) H. Diakatos passed away on June 2, 2020. He was surrounded and comforted by his family through his last moments. Tony was known as a kind, hardworking, religious man.
Tony was born in Markopoulo, Kefalonia, Greece, on February 4, 1929, to Maria and Haralambos Diakatos during the Great Depression. He grew up during the German occupation of Greece during World War II and the Greek Civil War. Tony served in the Greek Army from 1950 to 1954. He survived the devastating earthquake of Kefalonia in 1953 and emigrated to the United States in 1955 as an earthquake victim at the invitation of his uncle Dennis Ballas.
Tony worked his way up from his first job as a dishwasher to a successful businessman and restauranteur, owning several diners over his long career. Tony met and married the love of his life, Helen Karalis, in 1959. His other passion was serving his church, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Upper Darby, PA, as its Psaltis (Cantor) from 1958 to February 2020.
Tony is survived by his wife Helen, his son Harry (Ani) and his beloved grandchildren Tony and Eleni, and his loving sister Stamo Kalouris. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters in law Jerry and Mary Karalis, Peter and Irene Stefanatos, Mary Stylianos, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is predeceased by his beloved daughter Maria (Kleet) Tsachourides, his brothers Nick Diakatos, Angelo Diakatos, his father and mother in law Aristophanis and Fereniki Karalis, brother and sister in law George and Pauline Karalis, his brother in law John Stylianos and his uncle and aunt Dennis and Anna Ballas.
Funeral services, considering the current social distancing requirements, will be limited to immediate family at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, and interment will be at Fernwood Cemetery.
A memorial donation in lieu of flowers can be made to Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 229 Powell Lane, Upper Darby PA 19082.