William (Vasili, Billy) Calaboyias

Calaboyias, William, (Vasili, Billy), 86, of Johnstown, Pa. passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at Arbutus Park Manor. Born May 6, 1931 in Cambridge, Ohio, he was the son of the late Zacharias and Demetra (Pavlos) Calaboyias and the grandson of Father Petro Pavlos (Ikaria, Greece). He is survived by Judith (Bartlebaugh), his beloved wife of 44 years, and his four siblings Anna Shape (Reed), Peter, Mary Raich (Michael), and Sophia Facaros (Yianni). Bill was a loving husband, son, brother, uncle and friend to all those he encountered along his life’s path. Bill spent his first 8 years in Cambridge, Ohio in the constant presence of relatives creating memories of Greek life in America according to Ikarian culture until he traveled to Ikaria (1939). Young Billy was a WWII refugee during the early 40’s escaping from Ikaria after visiting his grandfather, Father Peter Pavlos, with his mother and 2 younger siblings. They traveled through Turkey and to Egypt finally arriving in a Belgian Congo refugee camp remaining there until the war ended. After returning to the states he graduated from Johnstown High School 1951 and then the Pittsburgh Aeronautical Institute. Bill was a US Army veteran as a Specialist Third Class. He was also employed by LaGuardia Airport. He then returned to Johnstown, Pennsylvania to become the proprietor of the Franklin Lunch, the Town House and the Grecian Gardens. After the closing of the Grecian Gardens, Billy went to work for Bethlehem Steel in the Freight Car Division then retired from Johnstown America Corporation where he created many friendships. Vasili served on council at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church and was a member of the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood Chapter Icaros, Pittsburgh.  Vasili’s helping nature and generosity benefited many. He was a loyal Johnstown Jets hockey fan and was known to fix anything. At family gatherings Vasili began the celebration “Zíto e Elláda ! ” Bill was proud of his Icarian heritage maintaining constant communication with the relatives. Our lives were made better because of Bill’s constant loving watch over all of us. May his Memory Be Eternal! Friends will be received Tuesday, September 5, 2017 from 2-8 at John Henderson Company Funeral Home, 215 Central Avenue, Johnstown, Pa. 15902, 814-536-4602 where a Trisagion Service will be held at 7:00 pm. Additional viewing will be at the church from 9:00 – 10:00 am with the funeral service beginning at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, 435 Somerset Street, Johnstown, Pa, 15901, 814-535-5056 with Rev. Fr. Michael Rustick officiating. Interment immediately following at the Grandview Cemetery, 801 Milcreek Road, Johnstown, Pa. 15905. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, 435 Somerset St. Johnstown, Pa. 15901 or to the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood Chapter Icaros, 745 E. Railroad Avenue, Verona, Pa. 15147, or to the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood Foundation, P.O. Box 79037, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15216.

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