Efthemios Gregory Bellos

Born a Greek citizen in Lesinitsa, Albania, to Melpomeni and Gregory Bellos, Efthemios “Tim” Bellos arrived in New York City in 1940, during the war in Europe (WWII). In 1947, his family, which now included younger sisters Stamatia (Stella) and Vasiliki (Bessie), moved from New York City to Southwest Detroit. 

Tim loved to socialize. He spoke to and embraced everyone he ran across, no matter their color, race, nationality, religion or language. Tim never met a stranger. Every woman was “koukla,” and every man was “big guy.” His life was filled with friends, and Tim maintained close relationships with his longtime buddies from the old neighborhood—his “amigos”—including the Gonzales Family, whom he valued to the very end.

Tim was passionate about books, history, art and music. He was especially proud of his Epirotic roots, which was evident by his joy of listening to the music of Epirus, especially the mirologia of his birthplace. Tim may have left Epirus, but Epirus never left Tim. He opened his home to many cousins and other relatives who immigrated to the United States. Tim was always loyal with an unwavering willingness to help. Despite the distance, he loved and supported his relatives back in the “old country.”

For many decades, he was a faithful member of the parish of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Detroit. Although he was born overseas and was proud of his Greek heritage, Tim also loved the United States and served it with pride in the United States Army, when he was deployed to Germany during the Berlin Crisis of 1960.

Tim was the beloved husband and protector of his love, Maria, for thirty-three years; dear brother of Stella & Bessie; devoted brother-in-law of Thanassis, Dorina, Vasilika, and the late George and Haxhi; treasured uncle of Maria (Bill), Nick (Stavroula), Christos (Chrissy), Elaine (Dave), Sandra (Fr. Nick), Greg, Gloria (Spiro), Redi, Elisi, Aldo and Bruno (Elsa), and of great nieces and nephews Andrew (Lily), Savannah (Alex), Lydia, Alexandra (Kalib), Nikolas, Harry, Vicky and George. Tim also leaves behind many cherished uncles, aunts and cousins, both stateside and abroad, and more friends than most people will encounter in a lifetime.

Visitation Monday 2pm-8pm, with Trisagion service at 7pm at the Wessels & Wilk Funeral Home 23690 Woodward Ave. Pleasant Ridge. Additional visitation Tuesday from 10am until the time of his funeral service at 11am. Burial at Woodlawn Cemetery.

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