Theodoros “Teddy” Stoilas, 89, of West Yarmouth passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family, on February 22, 2023. Born in 1933 in Skotoussa, Serres, Greece, to Eleni (Efthimiou) and Konstantinos Stoilas, he was the oldest of five children. After losing his father when he was just 11 years old, Teddy helped raise and support his mother and younger siblings from a young age, and this dedication to family was a defining characteristic of his life.

Teddy learned his skills in the kitchen serving as a cook in the Greek army and as a young man moved to Germany, where he started his life-long career in the restaurant business. He immigrated to the US in the 1970s, living first in New York, where he co-owned the popular Greek restaurant Meandros on MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village.

In 1984, he moved to Cape Cod with his wife, Panagiota, to make room for their growing family. They opened Marathon Seafood in West Dennis, which they ran for three decades, and Teddy’s smiling face could be seen behind the counter welcoming customers every day, often with a hearty handshake or slap on the back, and a loud joke.

Not only did he have a passion for cooking his entire life, and serving as a gracious host to family and friends whenever he could, he also loved music and dancing, from George Dalaras to Frank Sinatra. If he heard a bouzouki playing, he would not be sitting down for long. He also loved classic cinema, especially the films of John Wayne. His travels and experience growing up in northern Greece made him a natural with languages, and in addition to Greek, he spoke German, English, and a smattering of Slavic. He would often surprise new friends with a quick hello in their native tongues.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Panagiota; his two adoring daughters, Helen and Alexandra, in New York; and his two cherished siblings, Evdokia Sidiropoulos and Paschalis Stoilas, in Florida; as well as many dearly loved nieces and nephews in the US and Europe. He is predeceased by his two beloved sisters, Efigenia Nottas of Serres, Greece, and Maria Hatzistratis of Nürtingen Neckarhausen, Germany, his dear brother-in-law Dimitris Hatzistratis, also of Germany, and his treasured mother Eleni Stoilas of Queens, New York.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, 26 February, 6-8pm at Hallett Funeral Home on 273 Station Ave, South Yarmouth, with a funeral service on Monday, 27 February, 11am at St George’s Greek Orthodox Church, 1130 Falmouth Rd in Centerville, 02632. A burial will follow at Chandler Gray Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or St George’s in Teddy’s honor.

We are saddened to learn of Teddy's passing. Teddy and our family were linked when he purchased the Marathon from my Dad, Robert Stone. From that time on, we became fast friends, and we loved him and his family. I just read recently the notes I wrote after my Dad's death, and how we had gone to tell Teddy he was leaving us. Teddy cried with us and told us that not only had he been given an opportunity by our father, but my father had been Teddy's best customer and good friend. Our hearts and love go out to all of the family.