Konstantinos “Gus” Selimis, whose quiet strength and warm smile were familiar to many in Drexel Hill, passed away at 91 on November 13, 2025. He was surrounded by the family he devoted his life to at Thomas Jefferson University Medical Center.
Born in Filiates, Greece, Gus came to America in 1955 at the age of 21. He was the first of three brothers to immigrate and later helped his siblings join him. Like many new arrivals of his generation, he worked long hours washing dishes before building a respected career as a plumber, the trade he became known for throughout the community.
He also found belonging in Philadelphia’s Greek-American circles. In 1959, he played soccer for the Greek Stars, one of the local teams that brought people together during those early immigrant years.
On a trip back to Greece, Gus met Angeliki in Sepolia. They married on July 31, 1977, and returned to Drexel Hill to build a home and raise five children. He carried his pride in his heritage and his steady work ethic into family life, passing both on to the next generation. The Selimis family became long-standing members of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.
Everyone who knew Gus remembers his smile. Warm and genuine, it was the way he greeted people and welcomed them into his home. He loved having a busy household filled with conversation and laughter. He always had a project going, whether painting, power washing, fixing something, or giving the house another round of cleaning. When Gus was in the mood to tidy up, the whole family knew they were on call.
He was a loyal Philadelphia sports fan, though with a touch of humor. He followed the teams only when they were winning by a wide margin. Close games were too stressful.
Above all, Gus showed love through generosity. No one ever left his home empty handed. Fruit, food, or a bag of something for the road, he made sure visitors walked out with more than they came in with. For his grandchildren, he was simply Pappou, lighting up the moment they walked through the door.
Gus is survived by his wife of 48 years, Angeliki (Christopoulou); his children Christine Peterson (Cal Peterson), Vickie Weyand (John Weyand), Tina Landau (Mark Landau), Nick Selimis, and Kally Sioutis (Konstantinos Sioutis); his sisters Vasiliki Selimis and Maria Makos; and his thirteen grandchildren.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 10:00 am at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church on Powell Lane in Upper Darby. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 am, as family and friends gather to honor Gus’s life and offer their prayers. He will be laid to rest afterward at Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill.
May his memory be eternal.