Tykie Theofilos

Tykie Theofilos died in his sleep on Christmas Eve day, Sunday, December 24, 2017 in Venice, Florida at the age of 91 after a short illness. Tykie was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, veteran of the United States Navy, musician, philanthropist, a gentleman, and true “gentle man.” He was a man of faith whose actions demonstrated his Christian values and beliefs.

Tykie was born on June 14, 1926 in Kaminia, Sparta, Greece Kostas Theofilos and Helen (Karvouni) Theofilos. He immigrated to the United States as a young child with his family and was raised in Farrell, Pennsylvania. He attended Farrell High School where he proudly served as the drum major in the marching band for three (3) years until he graduated in 1944. He won All State Band in 1943.

Tykie was a proud veteran of the United States Navy. He enlisted in March 1944 and served (2 years, 2 months, and 22 days) as a Storekeeper Second Class. He served in the Admiralty Islands, South Pacific Ocean until his honorable discharge in 1946. Tykie then attended Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania where he earned a Bachelor’s degree.

Tykie married Chrysoula (Trahanis) in Warren, Ohio on June 25, 1950. Chrysoula is originally from Warren, Ohio, and currently lives in Venice, Florida. They happily retired and moved to Venice, Florida in 2004. He was an avid golfer and proudly hit a hole-in-one on May 19, 2014. Tykie worked with New York Life Insurance Company for forty years from 1965 to 1995.

He is survived by three (3) sons; Dino of Venice, Florida, Georgio and his wife Maria (Ristas) of Austintown, Ohio, and Yanni of Atlanta, Georgia. Tykie is also survived by four (4) grandsons, Peter and his wife (Brittany), George and his wife (Barbara), Tykie, and James Theofilos; and four (4) great grandchildren, Connor, Hannah, Andrew, and Morgan.

In 1963, Tykie founded and led “Tykie and the Grecian Keys,” one of the most popular and well-known Greek bands in America. He played the bouzouki with a humble pride and is considered a legend in the circle of Greek musicians and cultural historians. Tykie’s sons Dino, Georgio, and Yanni joined the band creating wonderful memories for tens of thousands of fans that followed the band throughout the years. The band was often referred to as the “Greek Osmond Brothers” or “Greek Jackson Five” entertaining Greeks and non-Greeks around the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean for over forty years. He recorded six (6) records and CDs of Greek dance music. Tykie and his family entertained people at their weddings who had children and then played at their children’s and grandchildren’s weddings. His son, Georgio continues “The Fabulous Grecian Keys” legacy. Even after retiring, Tykie had the desire and was able to play Greek music up to the month before he died. He would often play with his son Dino’s band, Ellada, at local events in Sarasota, Florida that delighted his fans, both new and old.

Tykie was a 32^nd Degree lifetime member of Free and Accepted Masons Lodge Number 250 that later merged with Kedron Lodge Number 389 in Sharon, Pennsylvania. He was also a member of Al-Koran Shriners of Cleveland, Ohio. Tykie was lifetime member of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), Zeus Chapter 88 in Warren, Ohio. AHEPA is an organization dedicated to philanthropy, education, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence to the community.

Tykie had a witty sense of humor, was a proud Greek-American, family-oriented, musician who was kind, honest and fair. His sense of humor was sharp as he would joke with his family, friends, and even strangers with whom he would meet in public. He maintained a list of short jokes, keeping it close at-hand and always ready to entertain anyone who would listen. He found humor in most anything and had a wonderful and positive outlook throughout his blessed life.

He was a proud Greek immigrant who valued his adopted American home and citizenship. He proudly flew the American flag daily at his home in Ohio and Florida. Tykie was a one-woman man since the day married Chrysoula in 1950. Tykie and Chrysoula worked hard to support and raise their three sons and set a good example of Christian values.

Tykie and his wife Chrysoula sponsored and supported many organizations and children in orphanages from underprivileged and improvised countries around the world. In lieu of flowers, the Theofilos family is requesting donations to any of the following organizations on behalf of Tykie:

1. The Yatima Group Trust Fund, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
2.  

Yatima Group Trust Fund (YGTF) is dedicated to improving the well-being of disadvantaged children.

2. The T.B.H. Private Medical Centre, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
3.  

The T.B.H. Private Medical Centre is a small, rural-based hospital, community health center, and medical and dental clinic that serves a local population of 33,000 underprivileged and underserved infants, children, and adults.

3. Shriners Hospital for Children
4.  

Calling hours will be at 10-11:00 a.m., Friday, December 29 immediately followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church 429 High Street, Warren, Ohio, 44481 with Fr. Constantine Valantasis officiating.

The Theofilos family thanks Tykie’s friends and relatives for being part of his life and supporting the charitable causes he had close to his heart.At Shriners Hospitals for Children®, stewardship is one of our core values. Approximately 85 percent of all funds spent by Shriners Hospitals for Children each year is dedicated to patient care, research and education. We work hard to make sure your gifts are used in the most efficient and effective manner.At Shriners Hospitals for Children®, stewardship is one of our core values. Approximately 85 percent of all funds spent by Shriners Hospitals for Children each year is dedicated to patient care, research and education. We work hard to make sure your gifts are used in the most efficient and effective manner.At Shriners Hospitals for Children®, stewardship is one of our core values. Approximately 85 percent of all funds spent by Shriners Hospitals for Children each year is dedicated to patient care, research and education. We work hard to make sure your gifts are used in the most efficient and effective manner.

Local Arrangements are being handled by the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel 1884 North Rd. NE, Warren, Ohio 44483.

Family and friends may visit www.peterrossiandsonfh.com to view this obituary, sign the guest book and send condolences to the Theofilos family.

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