Obituary of Konstantinos Aravidis

Our beloved father/grandfather, Kostantinos Aravidis has passed on April 17th, 2020 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, New York due complications from COVID-19 and other underlying conditions. Konstantinos is survived by his wife of 55 years Sophia Aravidis (Lazaridis), his three sons Theodore Aravidis, Michael Aravidis, and George Aravidis, and five grandchildren Sophia Aravidis, Vivie Aravidis, Michaela Zilz (Aravidou), Konstantinos Aravidis, and Eirene Zinovia Aravidou. Kostas was born in Katerini, Greece on April 1st, 1936 to Paraskevi Delaveridis and Theodore Aravidis. His father passed circa 1940. His mother Paraskevi continued to raise him after his father’s passing. He was raised alongside his brothers Michael and Vassilios. He also had a wonderful stepfather Christos Zegas, who was very influential to him and the family Konstantinos served in the Greek Army as a driver and cook. He met his wife, Sophia Lazaridis, in Katerini, Greece in 1964. They married in 1965. Kostas could not go to school due to the war, however, he was intelligent. He used his experience in the army to open a successful street vending cart in Central Park and served the public for decades on 52nd and Park Avenue. He was a proud Greek/American and never charge a city worker for lunch. The only compensation he needed was their smile. Everyone who knew Kostas appreciated him and his generosity, love and kindness. Kostas played cards and backgammon at the local Pontian Social Club in Astoria, Queens. His talents of cards, math, and photographic memory were a gift he enjoyed throughout his life. Kostas knew he would always win; however, he enjoyed the company and left pots on the table for others to enjoy. On occasion he might leave a big one too. Kostas will be remembered as a saint. He was a strong presence in any room between his outgoing personality and kind heart. His family is left with the memory and love of a man who cared for all of those around him. He will truly be missed.