Constantinos (Gus) George Svolis, Gus & Gus founder
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, Constantinos (Gus) George Svolis, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away to be with the Lord at age 90. Gus was born Aug. 17, 1930, in Siatista, Greece.
Gus was one of six children born to the late George and Anastasia Svolis of Kozani, Greece. He is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Athan, Agnoula, Alexandra and Michael. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Voula; son George Svolis; daughter Anastasia and son-in-law George Giatas; son Bill Svolis; two grandsons, Constantinos (Dean) and Stavros; sister Katina Lavantsiotis of Thessaloniki, Greece; many nieces and nephews and cousins.
Gus grew up in Kozani, Greece, during the 1930s and ‘40s amid WWII and the Greek civil war. Gus emigrated to the U.S. in June 1951 to Alexandria, Va., where his uncles and aunts lived. His first job was at the Hollywood restaurant; he also worked as the maître d’ at the Casino Royal and the Bayou nightclub in D.C., and then Bargain Center in old town Alexandria.
Gus worked and lived the American dream; he was the founder of Gus & Gus Place in Rehoboth Beach, a business which he started in May 1956, and which he continued to work with his wife Voula, his kids George, Staci, Bill, son in-law George and grandson Dean for 63 years until a severe stroke forced him to be bedridden. His devotion and love for his family was immeasurable. He loved to hunt, fish, and was a fan of the Washington Redskins and the Washington Capitals. Our father was a great handyman and could fix anything, and if he couldn’t, he would watch and learn.
Gus loved to dance, from ballroom dancing to Greek dancing, and he was always the first one on the floor. He loved being Greek and was very proud of his Greek heritage. Gus was a member of the Order of AHEPA Mt. Vernon Chapter 370 and was a 50-year lifelong member. He was a member of the Macedonian Association of the Greater Washington, D.C. area. Our father is quoted, “Gus & Gus was my life, and when summer rolls around each year, my family grows, because all my old friends and customers are a big part of my summer family. I looked for familiar faces on the Boardwalk every day.”
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 11 a.m., at St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, Va., and the funeral service will follow at noon and is open to all friends and family who wish to attend. There will be a Makaria following funeral services and we are practicing safe distance as much as we can.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church.
