- Date Of Birth: September 20, 1932
- Date Of Death: December 19, 2010
- State: Arizona
Panagiotis “Pete“ Nicholas Kretsedemas, 78, of Flagstaff, AZ passed away peacefully at his home with his family around him, on Sunday, December 19, 2010 after a long struggle with leukemia.
He was born to the late Nicholas N. and Konstantina G. Kretsedemas, September 20, 1932, in Peleta Kynourias, Arcadia, Greece. Pete immigrated to Birmingham, Alabama on May 1st, 1949, following the Second World War and Greek Civil War. He served in the United States Army in Korea. After discharge from the Army he, his mother and his brothers moved to Winslow, AZ in June of 1955. In 1964, Pete went to his hometown in Greece where he met and married Stamatoula “Tammy” Kekes. They lived and raised their family in Winslow, AZ, before relocating to Flagstaff in 2005.
Pete was co-owner and manager, with his two brothers, of the Falcon Restaurant and Lounge on historic old Route 66 in Winslow, AZ from 1955 to 1998. He was the first inductee into the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame by Arizona Governor Fife Symington in 1993, recognizing individuals who made significant contributions to Arizona’s Tourism Industry. He was a member of the Winslow Rotary Club from 1955 to present with perfect attendance for 39 years also serving as a past president. Pete was a Rotary Club International Paul Harris Fellow, recognized as an advocate of the Foundation’s goals of world peace and international understanding. He served as a member of the Winslow Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars.
Pete was a founder and past officer of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Flagstaff and longtime member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Phoenix, AZ. He received “The Spirit of Stewardship” award from the Metropolis of San Francisco for his service to the church.
Pete enjoyed his life to the fullest. He loved history, following the weather, bowling, gardening and hunting with his sons, nephews, and especially his grandchildren. His strength, fairness, and love for God were the guiding light of his life and inspiration to his family.
Pete is survived by his wife Tammy of 46 years, by his children: Potoula Pappas (Angelo), of Flagstaff, AZ; Nick Kretsedemas (Marina), of Phoenix, AZ; and Helen Schulz (Randy), of Flagstaff, AZ; his brothers Jim Kretsedemas (Katherine) of Chandler and George Kretsedemas (Sophia) of Mesa, AZ and sister in law Enid Kretsedemas of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his younger brother Alexander Kretsedemas and infant sister.
