Obituary: Steve T. Zafiris, 85; Longtime Wallingford McDonald’s Owner

WALLINGFORD, CT — (From Wallingford Funeral Home): Steve T. Zafiris, 85, of Wallingford, loving husband of Mary (Panos) Zafiris, passed away November 24, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family.

Steve was born in Haravgi, Greece on June 19, 1938, a son of the late Theodosios and Aglaia (Karotis) Zafiris.

After emigrating from Greece to Chicago in 1955, he met and married Mary and had two children as he worked as a busboy and waiter at the Hilton Hotel. A decade later, all his hard work and perseverance lead to him owning a luncheonette in downtown Chicago.

In 1967, Steve met his second love….McDonald’s. Always a natural entrepreneur and striving to do better for his family, he entered its training program to become a franchisee. In 1971, he opened up the first McDonald’s in Watertown, N.Y., bringing his extended family along for the opportunities.

In 1975, a new chapter opened up and he seized the opportunity and opened a store in Wallingford. Since then, he not only personally prospered, but was instrumental in the successes of family members and friends. He remained loyal to his family, his friends, his Wallingford community and his Greek heritage.

In addition to his wife, Mary, he is survived by his son, Theodore Zafiris and his wife, Raysa Castillo, of New York City; his daughter, Lizabeth Haskos and her husband, Nicholas, of Guilford; his brother, James Zafiris and his wife Roula of Wallingford; his grandchildren, John Haskos and his wife, Prapti, Elaina Haskos and her husband, Anis Dizdarevic and Steven Haskos and his wife, Aerin; six great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Pantelis, Spyros, and Thomas Zafiris and his sisters, Ourania Katsis and Roussa Vokolos.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven, St. Basil’s Greek Orthodox Church in New Haven, the YMCA of Wallingford or to St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Hartford.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.