Beloved Danbury Pizzeria Owners Pass Away Five Days Apart

DANBURY, CT — The husband-and-wife proprietors of a beloved Danbury pizzeria died within five days of each other.

Ekaterini "Kathy" Haralambakis, 74, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 18. She was the wife of Mihail "Mike" Haralambakis who died on Saturday, Jan. 13. The couple were co-proprietors of the former Mike's Pizza Restaurant located in the Berkshire Shopping Center, Danbury.

Mr. and Mrs. Haralambakis were both born on the Isle of Crete. Ekaterini was the daughter of the late Nikolaos and Efrosini (Antonakaki) Daskalakis. She attended schools in Greece and was a hairdresser, according to her obituary. Mihail was a son of the late Eleftherios and Elisavet (Kastrinaki) Haralambakis. He attended schools in Greece and served in the Greek army.

The couple immigrated to the United States from Greece in 1975, first settling in Fairfield and in 1984 relocating to Danbury, where they have resided ever since. Both were very active at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Danbury and volunteered for many events sponsored by the church.

According to their obituaries, Ekaterini was an extremely caring, generous woman of many talents, including baking, sewing, knitting, crochet, crafting, and gardening, among others. Mihail enjoyed fishing, gardening, and completing puzzles. Both most enjoyed spending time with family and friends, particularly their grandson.

The couple is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Purvis and her husband Edmund; two sons, Eleftherios "Terry" and George; a grandson Ethan Purvis, and many nieces and nephews.

The Rite of Burial will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at 11 a.m. in the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, with Father Peter Karloutsos officiating.

Interment will follow in Wooster Cemetery, Danbury.

Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home is providing the arrangements.