Obituary of Demetrios G. Grapsas

World War II hero, Demetrios G. Grapsas, 93, of Dover, NJ died Sunday, April 25th surrounded by family. Born April 16th, 1917 in Hrisovo, Nafpaktos, Greece to the late Soultana and Giorgos Grapsas, brother of Lambrini, Foto, and Margarita, and twin to Nikos. In 1942 he married Vasiliki Papaharalambou, the love of his life. Demetrios proudly served in the Greek Army during World War II on the front lines defending his country against Mussolini’s invasion. He helped lead the Allies to their first victory over Axis powers during the war. After fighting against the Nazis and Greece’s subsequent liberation, he then fought against communists trying to overrun Greece. Jailed and sentenced to death, he escaped by breaking the walls of his prison and liberated the rest of the inmates. In 1949 he was able to return to his wife and family producing 5 children. Demetrios and his family migrated to Dover in 1967 where he worked at Reliance Picture Frame until his retirement. In 1973, he experienced one of the proudest moments of his life when he became an American citizen. His time in the United States was marked by the birth of 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Seeing his family grow and prosper in a new homeland made him feel all his previous struggles were worthwhile. Demetrios also enjoyed travelling back to Greece to visit family and friends and utilized his success to improve the lives of those he left behind. He loved to sing and dance, and will be best remembered doing so on holidays and special occasions. Demetrios is survived by his wife Vasiliki, his 5 children and their spouses: Takis & Soultana Seretis, Giorgos and Ginette Grapsas, Christos & Aphrodite Kasolas, Apostolis & Katina Sakellaropoulos, Demetrios & Elli Pittas. He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Nikos & Sophia Seretis, Demetrios & Debbie Seretis, Jannis Giotakis & Jacqui Sakellaropoulos, Demetrios Sakellaropoulos, Despina Pittas, Charalambos Kasolas, Cesar & Vasiliki Garces, Vasiliki Grapsas, Demetrios G. Grapsas, and Andrew Grapsas; and 6 great grandchildren: Nina, Panagiotis, Nicoletta, Giorgios, Sophia, & Demetrios Seretis. Visitation Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 5 – 9 p.m. at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 State Route 10 West, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com). Funeral service Thursday, April 29, 2010, 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church, 1447 Sussex Turnpike, Randolph (973-584-0388). Interment will follow at Locust Hill Cemetery, Dover.