Constantine “Gus” Eliopoulos, a restaurateur and a longtime resident of Asbury Park, passed away Monday after a long illness. He was 84.
Mr. Eliopoulos was born in Davies, Greece, in the mountainous region of Arcadia. As a young man, he served as a Private in the Greek Armed Forces and then worked for the public transit system in Athens. He emigrated to Canada then moved to Asbury Park shortly thereafter.
Like many of the Greek young men of the era, he found employment and a beautiful young bride while working on the Asbury Park boardwalk. In 1961, he married Katina Papadopoulos, who was from a neighboring village in Greece but who also was working on the boardwalk at the time. Making a home and a family with Katina, Mr. Eliopoulos worked as a counterman, waiter and manager at notable Asbury Park landmarks such as the Berkeley-Carteret Hotel and afterwards, the Howard Johnson’s restaurant.
During the 70s, 80s & 90s, Mr. Eliopoulos owned and operated the Laurelton Diner and Restaurant on Route 88 in Bricktown, later worked at numerous other restaurants and diners in the area. He retired in 2013 and cultivated his interests in gardening, woodworking and painting.
Mr. Eliopoulos is survived by his wife Katina, his children Christina and George, his beloved granddaughter Elena, his son-in-law Kenneth and daughter-in-law Jennifer. He is also survived by his siblings John, James, Helen and Panayiota, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 2-4 & 6:30-9 pm Thursday at the Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, Ocean Township. Funeral service will be held at 10 am Friday at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Ocean Township. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.