Steve Katsetos, Founder Of Stamford's Atlantic Pizza House, Dies At 95

STAMFORD, CT — Steve "Stavros" Katsetos, the founder of Atlantic Pizza House, died on April 19 surrounded by his four daughters. He was 95.

According to his obituary, Katsetos was born in Krokeai, Greece, on Nov. 14, 1926. He immigrated to the United States in 1956 where he quickly established his life in Stamford. Katsetos married his wife, Freda (Gunard), and the two had four girls.

In 1960, Katsetos established Atlantic Pizza House, which became a landmark to Stamford natives, and is now known as the Atlantic Street House.

According to the Stamford Advocate, Katsetos sold the business to a couple he was related to by marriage in the 1980s. They then passed it down to their daughter and current owner, Anthoula Pantzos.

"The Atlantic Pizza House was a true family business, with relatives from Greece and Steve’s daughters working right by his side," his obituary said.

Katsetos is remembered for having many interests, but he was best known as an avid fisherman "who also loved gardening, cooking, football, and most of all his family," his obituary said.

He will also be remembered for his philanthropy and gifts to St. Basil’s Academy, the Krokeai Society, Church of the Archangels, Church of the Annunciation, the Laconian Society in Florida, and to many individuals in need, according to his obituary.

"His family will always hold deep in their hearts his life of the party smile and his dance moves. He never missed an opportunity to get on the dance floor with his family surrounding him smiling from ear to ear. He also never missed an opportunity to spread his wisdom, and everyone is all the better for it," his obituary said.

Katsetos is survived by his loving children, Paula Katsetos (Tassos) of Poughkeepsie, NY, Denise Aivalis (Nikolaos) of Stamford, Georgette Katsetos (Nick) of Stamford, Freda Katsetos-Stanton (Jim) of Stamford, his grandchildren Stavros (Melissa), Antony (Suzanne), Alexi (Kelcie), Katie (Lambros), Dean (Stefanie), Steve (Audra), Jennifer (Dan), Stephanie (Connor), Natalie, Elizabeth, and Steven, and thirteen beautiful great-grandchildren with one on the way, as well as his many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife Freda Gunard and his wife Mary Kottis.