Jeremiah "Jerry" Vartelas, age 87 of Stratford, beloved husband of Helen Stavros Vartelas for 56 years, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at Griffin Hospital of Derby, following a long illness.
He was born at the same Griffin Hospital on January 8, 1924. His parents, Paraskevi and John Vartelas were Greek immigrants who settled in Ansonia and raised a large active family living on Franklin St. for many years.
His father started the Family Food Grocery Store on Maple Street until it was lost in the Great Flood of 1955. Thanks to Jerry's efforts the site, now known as "Vartelas Park" displays a historical marker commemorating the flood and the heroics of valley residents during the tragedy.
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An excellent athlete, Jerry played basketball for Ansonia & Norwoods Athletic Club teams as well as the collegiate level at Davis & Elkins and the University of Connecticut, where he graduated in 1951. Prior to college Jerry served in the United States Army during World War II, from 1943 to 1946, attaining the rank of Sergeant. While briefly stationed in Alabama, he met his future wife Helen and were married on May 22, 1955.
After college he embarked on a career in insurance, joining The Mutual of Omaha Companies. Jerry held various marketing positions in Omaha, Bloomington, Indiana, Terre Haute, Indiana and Marblehead, Mass., before returning to the new Haven area in 1970.
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He retired in 1988 as Regional Vice President of marketing. During his retirement, Jerry & Helen traveled several times to Europe with special stops to Greece where Jerry was able to trace the roots of his ancestry. Jerry was very active in local Valley community activities. He served several years as the president of the Derby Historical Society and Council President of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Ansonia, playing a leading role in its transition and merger with St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange.
Of all his pursuits Jerry most loved spending time with his family. In addition to his wife Helen, he leaves two sons John (Helene) Vartelas and Allan Vartelas and grandchildren Catherine and Geoffrey Vartelas, all of Cromwell, brothers Theodore (Ted) Vartelas of Woodbridge and James Vartelas of Ansonia. Jerry was predeceased by brothers Constantine (Gus), George, Paul and Peter Vartelas and sisters Alfreda Asproulis & Mary Stamos.
Friends may call on Friday evening, June 24 at The Jenkins King & Malerba Funeral Home, 12 Franklin St. Ansonia from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, 10:00 a.m. from the funeral home. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Holy Trinity Chapel Fund at St. Barbara's Greek Orthodox Church, 480 Race Brook Road, Orange, Ct. or to a charity of one's choice.
Published in Connecticut Post on June 23, 2011
