Anastasios D. Zeppos

Anastasios D. "Taso" Zeppos, 89, of Wyomissing, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife, daughter and family on June 15, 2015, in the Reading Hospital and Medical Center.

He was the husband of Athena A. (Limberiou) Zeppos, to whom he married on August 28, 1961 and spent almost 54 inseparable years together.

Born on March 15, 1926 in the village of Vlahokerasia, Greece he was a son of the late Demosthenes and Magdalene (Katsafanas) Zeppos and one of 9 children.

After receiving a few years of education, Taso moved to Athens at a very young age where he worked to help support his parents and large family. He was employed by a leather goods manufacturer that produced high-end handbags and suitcases. He also served in the Greek Army in the late 1940's where he held the position of Quartermaster Officer.

Following his parents and a few of his siblings prior, Taso immigrated to the United States in 1955 and settled in Reading, PA. Using the hands-on experience he gained in Athens, Taso worked as a foreman for Letisse Handbags, the country's second largest factory of leather goods. During evenings, he worked as a head bartender and banquet manager at the legendary Crystal Restaurant on Penn Street.

He eventually returned to Greece where he married his devoted wife Athena who remained endlessly by his side until his very last breath of life. Upon returning to Reading, Taso partnered with his brothers-in-law, George and Teddy Limberiou and became owners and operators of the Riveredge Restaurant in Greenfields. Taso was well known at the Riveredge for his welcoming and hospitable nature towards customers as "maitre d" and his infamous, table-side Caesar salads and Chateaubriand. On a hot summer day, he could also be seen watering the flowers and shrubs in his trademark black tuxedo, ruffled dress shirt and bow tie. The Riveredge was Taso's second home until he retired in 1999.

He was a member of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, in Reading. Over the years during his retirement, he enjoyed helping his brothers prepare foods for the annual church Bazaar.

Taso lived a quiet, simple life upon retiring. One of his favorite past-times was planting a large vegetable garden every year and proudly taking care of his tomato plants. He looked forward to daily visits and phone calls from his family. He also loved visiting his daughter and her family in Florida every year where he enjoyed spending quality time with his grandchildren. Taso will be forever missed by his family and friends for the warm, gentle, sensitive, caring and loving man he was and for his wonderful sense of humor.

In addition to his wife he is survived by his daughter, Maria A. Zeppos-Saravanos, wife of Anthony Saravanos, Palm Harbor, FL; his siblings, John D., widower of Stamata (Velisaris) Zeppos, Vlahokerasia, Greece; Peter D., husband of Maria (Houhouli) Zeppos, Wyomissing; Gust D., husband of Nancy (Zeck) Zeppos, Lebanon; Martha Zeppos-LeMin, Palm Beach, FL; Alex D., husband of Filippia (Kotsina) Zeppos, Wyomissing; and George D., husband of Diane (Schrenko) Zeppos, Wyomissing. Three grandchildren, Kostas, Anastasia and Alexia Saravanos also survive him, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces within the large Zeppos and Limberiou families.

He was predeceased by his son, Demostenis A. "Meme" Zeppos, who died December 20, 2014; one sister, Georgia L., and her late husband Lazaros Houhoulis, and one brother, George D. Zeppos who died in 1944 at the age of 16.

Services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 1001 Wyomissing Blvd., Reading, PA 19611, with a viewing held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Forest Hills Memorial Park. Contributions in his memory may be made to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox at the above address. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.