[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 58 (Wednesday, April 11, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF ATHANASIOS ``TOM'' P. VOUVOUNAS

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                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 11, 2018

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to remember the life of 
Athanasios ``Tom'' P. Vouvounas, 101, who passed away peacefully on 
Friday, March 30, 2018 at the Humility House in Austintown, Ohio with 
his family by his side.
  I will never forget Tom as long as I live. He was almost 90 years old 
when he came to Washington, DC., and we visited the World War II 
Memorial. Tom arrived wearing the same uniform he wore in France which 
still fit him like the day he first put it on. We rode together on the 
Metro and sat down across from another man around Tom's age who was 
dressed as a civilian. The man immediately recognized Tom's uniform and 
started to talk with him. As it turned out, both of these men had 
served in the same unit those many years ago. I remember it as a 
wonderful day when two heroes were reunited.
  Tom was born on May 27, 1916 in Nenedes Samos, Greece, to Prodomos 
Vouvounas and Angeliki Safoulis Vouvounas. Tom came to the United 
States in 1933 to Youngstown, Ohio and moved to Warren, Ohio in 1945. 
He bravely served in the U.S. Army and fought in World War II at 
Normandy, France and in the Battle of the Bulge.
  After serving in the Army, Tom returned home to serve the state of 
Ohio and his community in Warren. He was the co-owner of Liberty 
Restaurant on Main Street, with his wife, and he worked for the Ohio 
Department of Liquor Control as a manager of State Liquor Store on Main 
Street. Tom also worked as a Warren Transit bus driver. Tom was also an 
active member at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Warren. He was 
involved as an altar server, American Hellenic Education Progressive 
Association (AHEPA), senior group, Yasou Club, past President of the 
Church 50 Club, and an active participant with the church festival. In 
his free time, Tom enjoyed going to the track, gardening, and planting 
flowers.
  He is survived by his nine children, Perry Vouvounas of Cortland, 
Pete (Jacquline) Vouvounas of Howland, Angela (Christopher) Kalafatis 
of Dallas, Parisa (Frank) Gombarcik of Howland, Demetra Vouvounas and 
Christos Vouvounas, both of Houston, Nick Vouvounas of Bayshore, Long 
Island, N.Y., Maria (Curtis) Elder of Warren and Joanna (Edward) 
Colucci of Girard; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and five 
great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; 
wife, Helen T. Vouvounas; a brother, Andreas Vouvounas; and a sister-
in-law, Helen A. Vouvounas.
  Tom was a valued member of the community, and I know he is dearly 
missed. I am thankful for the memories I have with him, and I extend my 
sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

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