1936 – 2024
Themelis N. (Themos) Splagounias, 87, of Reading, MA, and formerly of Somerville, MA, and Lexington, MA, passed away on March 6, 2024.
Themos is survived by his wife, of 59 years, Irene (Billiris) Splagounias; his sons Nikitas Splagounias and his wife Lesleyann of Windham, NH; Gregory Splagounias and his wife Helen of Burlington, MA; and Demetrios Giallousis and his wife Melissa of Medway, MA.
He is also survived by his sister Anthi (Splagounias) Kambourakis, of Kalymnos, Greece; his brother Pavlos Splagounias and his wife Sevasti of Kalymnos, Greece; his brother Steve Splagounias and his wife Helen of Lynn, MA; his sister Popi (Splagounias) Rigas and her husband John of Paris, France; his sister-in-law Hariklia Vallas and her husband Nicholas, of Lexington, MA; his brother-in-law Michael Billiris and his wife Stella, of Billerica, MA; and his brother-in-law Harilaos Billiris and his wife Alexandra of Athens, Greece. He was preceded in death by his sister Katina Splagounias and his brother-in-law Nicholas Kambourakis.
He was an adored grandfather and is survived by his grandchildren Alexa Splagounias and her fiancé Quin Gill of Chester, NH; Themis Splagounias of Windham, NH; Themis Splagounias of Burlington, MA; Constantine Splagounias of Burlington, MA; Nicholas Giallousis and his wife Kristin (Sophia and Stefano) of North Easton, MA and Danielle Giallousis of Lowell, MA.
He was an adored uncle to many nieces and nephews here and in Greece.
Themos was born in Athens and grew up in Kalymnos, Greece. Upon his father’s passing when he was just 13, he became the head of the family.
He lived in Jerusalem, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom before coming to the United States in 1969 where he began employment in the restaurant industry before going on to work as a produce supplier until his retirement.
Themos loved his homeland of Greece and his new adoptive homeland of the United States where he raised his family.
A true fighter, Themos had a remarkable resilience to the hardships he faced in life. Despite his humble beginnings, he worked hard to further educate himself through reading books and newspapers. His command of the English language grew so well that he would do difficult crossword puzzles and word games in both Greek and English.
Themos was a devout Orthodox Christian who enjoyed going to church and seeing his fellow parishioners when he was not working.
Themos was a lover of people and animals. His real world experience helped him not to judge people by color, religion, or nationality but through their words and actions as individuals.
Themos embodied the Greek spirit and loved getting together with family and friends to share a meal and eat, drink, play games, watch sports, and laugh at stories for hours. He enjoyed entertaining others with great panache. Strong and tough as a bull, he was a larger-than-life personality known for his good nature, big smile, and friendly demeanor.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit with the family at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 17 Meriam St., Lexington, MA 02420, on Monday, March 11, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Burial at Westlawn II Cemetery, 305 Boston Rd., Lowell, MA. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent in Themos’ name to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church or the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church, 29 Central Street, Somerville, MA 02173.
