- Date Of Death: September 21, 2010
- State: New Jersey
Stratis Xenakis of Burlington Township passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday at the age of 77, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Romanou, Lemnos Greece to Kyriakos and Lefkothea Xenakis. He was one of nine children. Stratis was very athletic and an exceptional soccer player who also excelled in track and field. After his 3 year service in the Greek Army, Stratis worked as a laborer who dug wells by hand and worked in the fields and coal mines on the island of Lemnos, which is where he met and married his loving wife Jo-Ann. After marriage they migrated to the United States and settled in New York City.
Stratis worked for Local 6A Cement and Concrete Workers Union where he poured concrete on many of New York’s tallest skyscrapers including the World Trade Center. After 14 years they moved with their three children to Burlington Township and purchased Stewart’s Drive-In on Route 130 which he owned and operated for 41 years. He continued to work at the business until his health forced him to slow down. Stratis was a very strong man who had a great work ethic and devoted his life to his family. With borrowed money to come to America, he truly lived the American Dream by taking advantage of the opportunities and working hard to succeed and provide for his family, instilling in his children as well as his employees strong values and life lessons. He was an inspiration to many, teaching by example and touching all those who knew him and worked for him.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Jo-Ann (nee:Constantinou) and children; daughter Lefkothea (Tasos) Malapetsas and their son Harry: daughter Maria Xenakis; son Kirk (Yvette) Xenakis and their children Gianna, Anthea, Strati, Lucas, and Tula. He is also survived by many relatives here and also in Greece. Arrangements are by Page Funeral Home, 302 E. Union St., Burlington, NJ 08016, 609-386-3700.
