28.02.1929 (Akrasi, Lesvos – 27.09.2020
Andrew was born in Akrasi, Lesvos in 1929. He completed High school in Plomari and soon after arrived in Australia by plane aged 20. He worked and lived in Albury where he worked in his Godfathers Café. A few years later he met his future wife Rene, Nee Karanikis (Karpouzes) through Koumbari when Rene was holidaying in Albury with her family.
After a short walk together to buy a magazine a relationship started and 2 years later Andrew moved to Melbourne to be closer to Rene. He then bought a Café known as Peter’s Café in Flinders St then followed by a Delicatessen in Richmond.
His last Café was situated on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Streets, Melbourne, and was called the Jamaica Café Inn. This was a café his 3 children have fond memories of.
Later on, Andrew proudly worked as an interpreter helping Greek people. This was a job he really enjoyed.
He loved people and in his early years in Australia he helped many people from his village and in his later years he kept in regular contact with his friends by telephone.
Andrew enjoyed travelling with Rene and visited Greece, other parts of Europe, Tahiti and parts of Australia.
Later in life Andrew gradually lost his eyesight but maintained his independence. He highly valued good health habits. He used to walk 8 Km a day and even as he reached 90 he would exercise close to his chair each day.
Religion was an important part of Andrew’s life. Rene would drive him to Church each Sunday and in his later years he would happily listen to the Greek Orthodox Church service on the radio every Sunday morning.
He was the last survivor of 8 siblings.
Andrew leaves behind his wife Rene, and his 3 children, Marcia, Mary-Anne and Steven, son in law Kosmas, daughter in law Cathy and 4 grandchildren, Andrew, Michael, Madeline and Emily.
Andrew and Rene celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on February 6th this year 2020.
We were all blessed to have Andrew in our lives.