Gust Sevastos

GUST SEVASTOS, age 83, beloved husband of Jane (nee Paras) for 61 years; loving father of Theodore (Marybeth), Michael, Dino (Christine),and Rena Madison (Ryan); dearest grandfather of Nicholas (Megan), Jonathan (Stephanie), Gus, Dina, Demitra, Kosta, Anna, Edward, Athena and Evan Sevastos, Ryan, Elena, and Sophia Madison; brother of Cynthia Asimakopoulos (John), Sophia Tsikna, Evangelos Sevastos, the late George Sevastos.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 2187 W. 14th St. Cleveland, OH 44113; the church he loved and served his entire life. Private family funeral service will be held at the church on Saturday, January 9th, 2021.  Interment St. Theodosius Cemetery. Friends received at the Ripepi Funeral Home; 5762 PEARL RD. (AT SNOW RD.)  Friday, January 8, 2021 from 3-7 p.m. with masks and social distancing.

Gust Sevastos was born on January 1st, 1937 to Nicholas and Erini (Foradis) Sevastos and was raised and educated in the village of Kardamyla, on the Northern Aegean island of Chios, Greece.  The story of his life, his journey, his hardships and successes, are all a true testament to the amazing person our father was.

There are no words to convey the magnitude of our sorrow, our loss, and our gratitude for our father, a man who has been our role model and pillar of strength our entire lives.  There is not a day that will go by without thinking of him, speaking to him, and missing him and the void we will all feel in our hearts.  Our father was a man who was deeply respected and loved by all that came in contact with him.   He was such a selfless person who always put others before himself, and led his life by helping others who were in need.    He was a man known for his integrity, a man who loved his life, his faith, his church, his heritage, and his family.   He impacted all that knew him, whether it be his friends, colleagues, customers, peers, his children, and his wife.   He worked hard, he showed compassion for his fellow man, and gave his all in every aspect of his life.   He was a great man, son, brother, friend, and a dedicated husband,  amazing father and loving Papou.

Growing up in an impoverished “Great Depression” era Greece, Dad and his family faced many hardships. Through perseverance and determination, he was driven to overcome these hardships and along the way developed several core values that would stay with him throughout his life; a strong faith in God, kindness and generosity to others, service to his church and community, importance and pride in providing for his family, and extreme pride in his culture, ethnicity and country.

Dad grew up one of seven siblings, and upon graduating from high school, he served in the Merchant Marines for three years traveling to various parts of the world with the goal of obtaining his Captain’s degree. After several years at sea, he decided that the “sea life” was not for him and he chose to seek a life with more opportunity and chase the  “American Dream.”  At the age of 21, he immigrated to America.  Soon after his arrival to the states, he met the woman who would become his life partner and loving companion for the next 61 years, his beloved Jane (Paras).  On July 4th, 1959,  Dad and Mom were married and would eventually build their family together. Dad would become the Patriarch of the Sevastos family that consisted of his four children; Ted, Michael, Dino and Rena and his thirteen grandchildren: Nicholas, Jonathan, DIna and Anna the children of Michael and Beth (Lowrie); Gus, Edward and Evan the children of Ted and MaryBeth (Smith); Demi, Kosta and Athena the children of Dino and Christine (Milovec) and Ryan, Elena and Sophia the children of Rena and Ryan Madison. His children and grandchildren were the greatest source of pride for him and through them his memory will remain eternal.

Our Dad is truly a perfect example of someone achieving the “American Dream.”   He arrived in America with just the clothes on his back and a few belongings. He went to work for his uncle at Deluxe Bumper Co. a car bumper manufacturer. He loyally worked there for 39 years to provide for his family. In January of 1997, he realized another ideal of the “American Dream” and became the entrepreneur of his own company, American Bumper.  Along with Dad’s role as a devoted family man, he also dedicated his life serving the Greek community and the Greek Orthodox Church.  In the early 1970’s, he began what became many years of involvement with the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.   He was the longest serving President on the church board having served 10 years, and was one of the original founders of the Annunciation Greek Heritage Festival.  He served many years as the Festival Chairman.  He was always one to treat the media to all the wonderful food and fair our culture has to offer, and share the pride and love for the mother church and our rich Greek culture.

In the late 70’s, Dad joined the local Chios Society and has served as President six times.  In 1982, he also became involved with the National Chios Society, serving as National Vice President from 1988-92.  He became the National President for 2 consecutive terms from 1992-94.  During his terms locally and nationally, he played an instrumental role in many philanthropic causes.  He helped raise more than $250,000 for the eye clinic and Skilitsio Hospital, which was desperately needed in his homeland.  He continued his work aiding the underprivileged of Chios by remaining active in the efforts to improve the hospital and clinic by helping raise funds for much needed modern medical equipment.

Dad’s philanthropy and committed involvement to the church, Chios organizations and AHEPA organizations, have resulted in many honors that were bestowed upon him.  He has received countless proclamations and recognitions from local, state and federal government officials.  In 1987, he received a proclamation from His Eminence Bishop Maximos for his outstanding service to the church.   In 1991, at the National Chian Convention, he was recognized by Secretary General of the Greek Government, Andreas Zaimis and by the Metropolitan of Chios, Dionysios, for his contributions to the needy of his island.   In 1995, he was honored with the Chian Presentation Citation for his philanthropic work as the National President of the Chios Society.  His most prestigious honor was the St. Fotios Award, bestowed to him from His Eminence Bishop Savas in recognition of his loving and dedicated service to the Orthodox Christian faith in the parish of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Cleveland, Ohio.  It was a special moment for him to receive this honor alongside his wife, children and grandchildren sharing in the moment.

To his family and friends they know that his philanthropic endeavors and community service were impressive, but the true evidence of Dad’s contribution as a man and his most important life accomplishments were the relationships he built and how he treated his fellow man.  Dad was a kind, caring and generous man who was a pillar to the Greek community.   As a businessman, his customers knew a man of honor, integrity, intelligence, and kindness.   He built a relationship with all of his customers and each and every one of them felt valued.    Dad truly made an impact on everyone he met, even in his last days on earth.

Most importantly to us, our father was the ultimate role model and inspiration for how one should live their life each day.   His faith in God, his unwavering love for his family, his work ethic, leadership, great wisdom, kindness, generosity and his calling to help those less fortunate has shaped all of us to become who we are today and how we have raised our children. Through his lessons, his stories, his hardships and his successes, his grandchildren were able to see just how extraordinary of a man their Papou was.  It will be the daily “little things” that all of us will miss and will always cherish.  We will remember all the great advice and wisdom he has shared with us, his pride in displaying the Greek and American flags, how much he loved the Cleveland Indians, the special trips to the store so he can bring us fresh fruit, olives and feta. How Papou always had his pockets filled with candy to give to his grandchildren when greeting them. How each day he treated our Mother with the ultimate love and respect.  The cherished memories of pride he had in taking his grandchildren to Sunday school, watching his grandchildren’s sporting events, seeing his grandchildren give speeches on what their Greek heritage meant to them or how their Papou and Yiayia have shaped them into who they are today.   The joy he had in seeing several of his grandchildren get married, or graduating from high school and college, and sharing in their personal accomplishments and achievements.   He was so proud of each and every one of his grandchildren.

Writer Charles Palahniuk once said  “We all Die. The goal isn’t to live forever. The goal is to create something that will.” Dad definitely did that during his long and illustrious life. A Greek immigrant who was born into poverty was able to achieve the “American Dream” of providing for his family and eventually becoming the entrepreneur of his own company, which finally gave him the financial fruits of this “American Dream.”  Dad and Mom shared an incredible love of 61 years, raised 4 children, and helped raise 13 grandchildren. He tirelessly devoted his time and efforts to improve his Greek homeland, while promoting the Greek culture, church and community throughout the Cleveland Area. His value of faith, family, and community service will be his lasting legacy for generations to come.  We were so blessed to have had him as our father, so proud of the man he was, and we will aspire to live every day in a way that honors his example.    We love you Dad.