Obituary of Spiros Theodore Vozikis

Link to livestream Funeral Service

Click on  the link (above) to connect to the Church's Youtube page (sign-in is NOT required).  A livestream of the Funeral Service will begin a few minutes before 11am on Saturday, May 18th.

Spiros Theodore Vozikis, an immigrant from Greece who lived the “American Dream”, passed away after an extended illness on Wednesday morning, May 15, 2024.  He was 94 years old. 

Spiros was born in Vyronas, Athens, Greece.  He was one of four children to the late Theodoros and Aspasia Vozikis.  His earlier years were spent in Greece, where he grew up and completed his education in Athens.  From a very early age, he was a naturally gifted mechanic.  He would build motorcycles from remnants of various military motorcycles used during WW II. Spiros would even race some of his refurbished motorcycles as well.  He continued his work as a mechanic for his entire life and loved every moment this lifestyle offered him. A love that he shared with his sons. Everything changed in the summer of 1961 though, when he met a Greek-American girl named Ethel Yakes, who was visiting Greece for the summer.  A casual meeting turned into a summer romance that concluded their summer with a beautiful wedding.  In those two short months his life changed completely.  He had a wife, and knew it was time to fulfill his “American Dream” and see a country he always read about as he was captivated with American history, so he packed up his belongings and moved to the United States to start his next chapter of life with his new bride.  Upon moving to America, Spiros didn’t speak any English, so he took on the task with open arms, and went to school to learn.  When it came to his first job interview though, he brought his wife to translate for him and of course, he got the job.  Over time his English improved so much that he could work as an auto technician for Chrysler and Dodge  dealerships in Porter Square Cambridge and Burlington Dodge until his retirement.

Spiros could do almost anything he put his mind to.  He was a self-taught mechanic, but his talents didn’t end there.  He purchased his home in Burlington in 1963 with the upstairs completely unfinished, completely unphased by the laborious task ahead of him: completing the second floor himself.  He installed the electrical and plumbing, did the carpentry and all the finish work.  He enjoyed maintaining his home and did so until he was in his late 80’s, even the landscaping was pristinely handled by Spiros.  Having taught himself so many skills, Spiros was a wealth of knowledge who was always willing to lend his know-how or a helping hand to his family, friends, and neighbors.  He was the go-to person if anyone had a car problem as well. 

During his retirement, he and Ethel split their time between their homes in Burlington and Port St. Lucie, Florida.  He was an avid walker and could be seen walking the Burlington Mall two or three times a day.  He was also a longtime member of the Woburn AHEPA Chapter No. 176 "Theodore Zorbas" club.  Spiros and his wife Ethel traveled all over the world every chance they got.  Returning to Greece was a trip that were particularly close to Spiros’ heart.  He could go numerous times in his lifetime, and as soon as he landed, it was as if he had never left.  Friends from years ago would recognize him walking down the street, and they would share stories of his childhood, youth, and adult years, which were stories he loved telling his children and grandchildren.  He felt blessed to have all the opportunities in his life and wanted to share his heritage with them so they could genuinely know their roots, their Greek family, and what made Spiros the man he is today.

Spiros was the type of person who, once you met him for the first time; he was like a lifelong friend.  He was outgoing, sociable, and made friends easily because he always treated everyone with respect.  He was always well dressed and a perfect gentleman to those around him, stranger or not. 

Spiros was the beloved husband of the late Ethel (Yakes) Vozikis.

Surviving Spiros are his beloved children, Theodore Vozikis and his wife Barbara of Burlington, and Thomas Vozikis and his wife Debi, of Burlington; his five adoring grandchildren, Rachel, Nicholas, Sophia, Zachary, and Jacob; his siblings, Maria Mamalakis of Athens Greece, and Anna Vozikis of Bethlehem, PA, as well as many other dear nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was also a loving brother to the late John Vozikis.

Visiting hours will be held Saturday, May 18 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 70 Montvale Ave, Woburn.  There be a Funeral Service beginning at 11 a.m., and Services will conclude with a burial at Pine Haven Cemetery in Burlington.  As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Spiros’s name may be made to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Building Fund, 70 Montvale Ave, Woburn, MA 01801.