Obituary: Alexander Elias “Alex” Zachary, 90, of New Haven

Obituary courtesy of W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:

Alexander Elias “Alex” Zachary of New Haven, affectionately known as “Alexander the Great” died peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday January 7, 2023 at Yale-New Haven Hospital, after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of the late Helen Pethis Zachary. Alex was born March 15, 1932 in Kalos Agros, Greece, a son of the late Elias and Ploumia Stamatiadis Zachariades.

While in Greece, he served as a Lieutenant in the Greek Army from 1949 – 1951. He was an exceptional athlete and, among other accomplishments, won the Gold Medal for his record-setting Javelin performance in the 1954 Panhellenic Games.

He emigrated, alone, to the United States in 1956. He was an original founder of Zachary’s Pizza House in Waterbury. He was also the owner of Zachary’s Package Store on Elm St. and previously, Pizza Pal on Fitch St., both in New Haven. He was a proud member of the Masons.

Alex is survived by his children, Lee Alexander (Beth) Zachary of San Antonio, TX, Gail Alexis Zachary of New Haven, and Joanne Alexis (James) Papadimitriou of Westfield, MA; his brother Dimitrios Zachariades in Greece; his grandchildren, Nikolas, Jordan, Lee (Patrycja), McKenna and Elena and his great-granddaughter, Everleigh Grace Zachary. He was predeceased by several brothers and sisters.

Alex always had a ready smile, supportive words and a generous hand for all those he came in contact with – and will be sincerely missed by so many.

Alex’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the Neurological Intensive Care Unit at YNHH for the care and compassion given to Alex and to them during his stay.

Visiting hours will be Wednesday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford, CT. Funeral liturgy at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 480 Racebrook Road, Orange, CT, Thursday morning at 10:00. Burial will follow in Orange Center Cemetery.