Stavros Catsoulakis

Stavros “Steve” Catsoulakis, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, passed away June 29th, 2025 after a short illness. Steve lived a blessed and long life of 91 years. Born Stavros Catsoulakis in the village of Alikianos, on his beloved island of Crete, Greece,

Steve lost his father at a very young age and became the man of the house during the German Occupation of the battle of Crete. As a young boy, while German soldiers were off swimming, Steve frequently stole their guns and passed them along to the Greek resistance fighters. On one of those occasions, a bullet grazed his temple, which left him with a lifelong scar that many mistook for a large light brown mole.

In 1958, Steve and his sister Marica boarded the ship Olympia and sailed to Montreal, Canada. In 1960, Steve’s mother, Evangelia, met a young girl named Chrisoula Vidalakis and was very impressed with her. She showed Chrisoula a photo of her son and sent a photo of Chrisoula back to her son. Steve and Chrisoula started exchanging letters. After one year of writing to each other, Chrisoula Vidalakis set sail on the ship The Queen Frederica, and headed to Canada to meet Steve. Steve’s friends would laughingly retell the story of Steve waiting nervously for the ship to arrive. Steve and Chrisoula were married three months later, and enjoyed 63 wonderful years together.

Steve, his wife, and their children would take many trips to Akron, Ohio to visit his wife’s aunt, Helen Green. In 1972, Steve moved his wife and children permanently to Akron.

Steve, a master mechanic with an incredible work ethic, opened his own business - a service and gas station known as “Steve’s Sunoco.” Steve worked every day without complaint. He loved working his business and seeing his loyal customers. Steve had his beloved business for 50 years. If he could’ve, he would’ve still been there working.

Even though Steve’s time with hospice was very brief, the staff at Traditions Hospice made the journey much less stressful. Thank you Traditions Hospice for arranging and moving Steve from his rehab facility at Pebble Creek. Because of their loving concern, Steve was able to spend what time he had left with his family at his home. Your compassion and care will never be forgotten.

Steve was a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron. Steve joined, and was a very loyal member, of the Order of AHEPA Chapter 63, and was also a proud member of the Pancretan Association of Akron.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Georgios and Evangelia Catsoulakis (nee Psaroudakis). He leaves behind his devoted wife, Chrisoula; son, George; daughter, Lisa; granddaughter, Evangelia; beloved sisters, Marica Spanoudakis and Eleni Pantelakis; nephews, Greg Spanoudakis (Cathy), Manny Pantelakis, and William Levenderis; and niece, Bessie Bailoux (Ron).

Funeral service 10 A.M. TUESDAY July 8th, 2025 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union St. Akron, OH 44304. Calling hours 5-8 P.M. MONDAY July 7th at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road Fairlawn, OH 44333, with Trisagion prayer service at 7 P.M. Interment at Mt. Peace Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Steve’s name may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, 85 N. Miller Road Akron, OH 44333 (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)