Obituary: Eftichios Emmanuel Protopapadakis

Eftichios Emmanuel Protopapadakis, better known as "Felix," died on Monday, Nov. 28, 2011. Family and friends are invited to visit today from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the , 344 Route 9 North, Manalapan, N.J., and on Friday from 10 a.m. until the funeral at 11 a.m. at the Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, Holmdel, N.J. Interment will follow at , Manalapan.

Eftichios was born to Emmanuel and Argyro Protopapadakis in Chania, Crete. In 1956, he came as a student to the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg to study electrical engineering. As fate would have it, he emigrated instead to the United States two years later. In 1963, he married his loving wife, Diana, and in 1969, his beloved daughter, Elaine, was born.

Felix was a man of integrity, whose strong love and commitment for his family and his community never wavered. As a successful restaurateur, he began his career with the Lincoln Restaurant in Union City, N.J., in 1969, and also worked for the Reo Diner in Woodbridge, N.J. and, in 1972, McAteers Restaurant in Somerset, N.J.

Felix was larger than life and gave love and gathered it. He had a strong commitment and love for his culture and heritage and received countless honors throughout his life for his great generosity. His grandchdlren, Anastasios, Dionysia and Eftichia Thermos were the apple of his eye.

May his memory be eternal, for the hole he's left in the hearts of his family - his beloved and committed wife, Diana; his adoring children, Elaine and Peter Thermos, and his adoring grandchildren, Anastasios, Dionysia and Eftichia - will never be repaired. He is also survived by his loving sister and brother-in-law, Antonia and Nick Papadakis; his loving sister, Katina Akrotirianaki of Greece and his loving brother and sister-in-law, John and Kostoula Protopapadakis; his adoring mother-in-law, Eleni Vlachos; his loving sister-in-law, Leona Koufakis, and countless loving cousins, nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Kimisis Expansion Program, c/o Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Holmdel, N.J.