Obituary of Eleftheria Tsitos

On Sunday, June 4, Eleftheria “Ellie” Tsitos passed away peacefully and content, in her home in Athens, Greece, surrounded by her loved ones.

Born March 6, 1946, Eleftheria’s inspirational journey started in the small village of Vortopia, located in the mountains of Epirus, Greece.  Along with her parents, Vasilios and Garifalia, and her younger sister, Melpo, she soon moved to Athens.  There her family grew with the birth of her younger siblings, Vasiliki, and Christos. And there too, she started her responsibilities to support her family through tough economic times. She shared the youthfulness of her young years with hard work and devotion to her family and aspirations for its future.

At the young age of 16, Eleftheria married the love of her life, Konstantinos “Charlie” Tsitos, whom she shared her life with for 53 years. They created a beautiful family with the birth of their children, Spiros and Eleni. With devotion, diligence and lots of love and trust in each other, they started their first business, a bakery on the outskirts of Athens, Votaniko. There, Eleftheria gained her experience, strength, and passion for running her own business. Her love for her patrons made her adored and admired throughout the town, so much so, that after leaving Greece to follow their dreams in the U.S., pours of letters filled their mailbox from cherished customers.

Eleftheria’s life journey brought her to Greenwich, NY, where she and her husband, Konstantinos embarked on a new business, The Greenwich House of Pizza. A family business started in 1974 that became the backbone of the Tsitos household. The opening of their second restaurant, Whitehall House of Pizza, in Whitehall, NY, widened the family’s horizons, and increased her obligations. Patrons from Greenwich, Whitehall and the surrounding areas became Eleftheria’s new extended family. Her respect and devotion to her customers, her relentless labor towards perfecting her business, and her sturdy, yet nurturing nature towards her employees, made Eleftheria an iconic and adored figure in the area.

Eleftheria’s love for her work came second only to her love and devotion to her family. A nurturing mother and grandmother, a loving, and supportive wife, a protective sister. Her family was her world. With strength, honor, and decisiveness, she was a shield between her family and their life’s challenges. Unfortunately, all challenges couldn’t be won. Eleftheria lost her loving husband in 2014 and his absence broke her heart. Her spirit and love for everyone around her remained and gave her the courage to carry on and continue her life’s work.

Eleftheria lived her last 10 years between her homes in Athens, Greece and Greenwich, NY.  She was always surrounded by her loved ones, always gaining strength from her children and grandchildren, she remained vigilant and protective of her family. She fought a long battle with dementia, but that didn’t keep her from spreading the widest smiles, biggest hugs, and wisest advice, gaining the respect, admiration, and love from everyone around her.

Eleftheria was predeceased by her parents, Vasilios and Garifalia Alexiou, and her husband, Konstantinos Tsitos. She is survived by her son, Spiros (Soula) Tsitos of Saratoga Springs, NY; her daughter, Eleni (Athanasios) Tsitos- Natsis; her beloved grandchildren, Leonidas Natsis, Konstantinos and Stefanos Tsitos; her sister, Melpomeni Papaioannou of Athens, Greece; her sister Vasilki Halkia of Manchester, VT; her brother Christos (Athena) Alexiou of Manchester, VT, and several loving nieces and nephews.

Her funeral service was held in Athens, Greece on June 8, and was attended by family and friends celebrating her life.

Online condolences and messages to the family may be made at www.flynnbrosinc.com.