KRETSEDEMAS, Panagiotis (Pete) Nicholas

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, AZ Wednesday, December 22, 2010 Panagiotis "Pete" Nicholas Kretsedemas, 78, of Flagstaff, died at his home with his family around him on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, after a long struggle with leukemia. He was born to the late Nicholas N. and Konstantina G. Kretsedemas on Sept. 20, 1932, in Peleta Kynourias, Arcadia, Greece. He immigrated to Birmingham, Ala., on May 1, 1949, following World War II and Greek Civil War. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea. After discharge from the Army, he, his mother and his brothers moved to Winslow in June of 1955. In 1964, he went to his hometown in Greece, where he met and married Stamatoula "Tammy" Kekes. They lived and raised their family in Winslow before relocating to Flagstaff in 2005. He was co-owner and manager, with his two brothers, of the Falcon Restaurant and Lounge on historic Route 66 in Winslow from 1955 to 1998. He was the first inductee into the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame by Arizona Governor Fife Symington in 1993, recognizing individuals who made significant contributions to Arizona's Tourism Industry. He was a member of the Winslow Rotary Club from 1955 to present, with perfect attendance for 39 years, and also serving as a past president. He was a Rotary Club International Paul Harris Fellow, recognized as an advocate of the Foundation's goals of world peace and international understanding. He served as a member of the Winslow Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars. He was a founder and past officer of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Flagstaff and longtime member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Phoenix. He received The Spirit of Stewardship award from the Metropolis of San Francisco for his service to the church. He enjoyed his life to the fullest. He loved history, following the weather, bowling, gardening, and hunting with his sons, nephews and especially his grandchildren. His strength, fairness and love for God were the guiding light of his life and inspiration to his family. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Tammy; children Potoula Pappas (Angelo) of Flagstaff, Nick Kretsedemas (Marina) of Phoenix and Helen Schulz (Randy) of Flagstaff; brothers Jim Kretsedemas (Katherine) of Chandler and George Kretsedemas (Sophia) of Mesa; sister-in-law Enid Kretsedemas of Atlanta; nine grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Alexander Kretsedemas, and infant sister. The family requests memorial donations made to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Flagstaff, P.O. Box 2164, Flagstaff, AZ 86003. A viewing and Trisagion service will be at 6 p.m. today at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Flagstaff, 319 S. San Francisco St. A funeral service will begin Thursday at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 224 S. Kendrick St., in Flagstaff, followed by burial in the Veteran's Section of Citizen's Cemetery in Flagstaff. Condolences can be sent online to www.norvelowensmortuary.com. Norvel Owens Mortuary is handling arrangements.