Dimitrios “Jim” Christodoulou, who came to the United States from Greece and became a familiar face in South Philadelphia as the owner of Moms Variety, passed away on October 9, 2026. He was 72.
Born in Athens on April 11, 1954, to Theofilos and Katerina Christodoulou, Jim arrived in the United States in 1972 and enrolled at Villanova University. He worked his way through college, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from Villanova and later a Master of Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University.
In 1975, while working as a short-order cook at Parkway Deli Restaurant, he met Victoria D’Armi. The two began dating and married in 1980. They later welcomed three children, Katerina, Theofilos, and Victoria.
Jim began his engineering career at Stone & Webster in 1982. After six years, he decided corporate employment was not for him and turned to real estate, choosing to work for himself. He also spent time at home helping raise his children.
In 1995, he opened Moms Variety, a neighborhood store at 11th and Cantrell Streets in South Philadelphia. For the next 17 years, he was a familiar sight walking the surrounding streets, including Jackson and Snyder, as he tended to the store and managed his apartments.
He sold the business in 2012 but maintained his connection to the neighborhood. Jim was also a familiar presence at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill. He enjoyed traveling to Greece and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his wife, Victoria Christodoulou (née D’Armi); his children, Katerina Christodoulou (Chris Crean), Theofilos Christodoulou (Ava), and Victoria Morrill (Andrew); and his five grandchildren, Dimitry, Roman, Gianni, Anastasia, and Penelope.
He is also survived by his sister, Mary Paramana (the late George); his brother, John Christodoulou; his sisters-in-law, Maria A. Manzoni and Filippa Pinto; nieces and nephews; and his close business associate, Dean Chant. He was predeceased by his parents and his brothers-in-law, Joseph and John D’Armi.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the viewing on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. at St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church, 615 Mercer Street, Cherry Hill, NJ. The funeral service will begin at noon, followed by entombment at Locustwood Memorial Park, 1500 Route 70 West, Cherry Hill, at 1:15 p.m.