Gus Leakakos

Mr. Gus Leakakos, 84, of Walterboro, went to his Heavenly home Saturday afternoon, December 12, 2015, at the Veteran’s Victory House in Walterboro.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, December 15, 2015, from Living Word Outreach Ministries, 1705 Barracada Road, Walterboro.  Interment with military honors will follow in Live Oak Cemetery, South Jefferies Boulevard, Walterboro.

The family will receive friends prior to the funeral service beginning at 11:30 that morning in the church sanctuary.

Flowers will be accepted, or for those that desire, the family has suggested that memorial contributions be directed in his memory to: The Veteran’s Victory House, 2461 Sidney’s Road, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488.

Born March 7, 1931, in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York; he was a son of Greek immigrants, the late Nicholas Leakakos and the late Bessie Ladis Leakakos.  Gus was a good example of a 1950’s generation man – hard-working, patriotic, and appreciative.  He served our country faithfully in the United States Army, where he was a Corporal, having been assigned to artillery and driving an ammunition truck during the Korean Conflict as well as having been stationed in Germany.  Gus was a restauranteur, having dedicated a large part of his life to the restaurant business.  His father owned and operated “Three Brothers’ Sweet Shop” in Bay Shore, which received its name in honor of Gus and his two brothers, and was also known for its homemade ice cream.   Gus and his former wife operated her father’s business, “Fritz’s Italian Restaurant”.   He also worked in other food-related businesses as manager of a super market and in food service at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, New York.

Gus made the Lowcountry of South Carolina his home in the early 1990’s, referring to it as “God’s Country”.  A fall from a second story building when he was only two years old provided the great foundation of his faith.  His church family that he dearly loved was Living Word Outreach Ministries.

Gus often told his family that he lived a good life.  He aged with dignity, despite having limited mobility in his later years.   He possessed a spirit of sharing, was easy going, and practical.  He was good and generous to others.  Other than his time in service, his greatest accomplishment in life was his daughters, whom he supported wholeheartedly in any way possible.  He loved his daughters as well as his son-in-law, Joe, and his daughter Diane’s boyfriend Danny and his children.

Surviving are: two daughters, Diane Leakakos of Walterboro and Julie Leakakos Epple and her husband Joseph of Walterboro; a sister, Apestina Likos of New York; a brother, William Leakakos, Sr. of New York; and the mother of his two daughters, Marian Foster of Walterboro.  Although Gus had no grandchildren of his own, he loved and greatly appreciated many as his own children, especially Iris Yolonda Williams and her fiancé, Brian Finley of Walterboro.  He is survived by a large host of nieces, nephews, and extended family as well as friends whom he treated as family.  He will be sadly missed by a great friend, Bill Foster of Walterboro.  He was preceded in death by a brother, Andro Leakakos.

Arrangements by:   THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.  Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.