How one family's dream became a community landmark
Born in 1931, Stergios Gitsis (“Stevie”) grew up during difficult, war-torn years in a small village in northern Greece. As one of the older children in a family of 6, he did his best to help out. Sometimes that meant being sent out by his father, a woodsman and shepherd, to go and tend to their flock of sheep. During World War II, after his home and village were burned down, and the subsequent 4 year Greek civil war ensued, Stevie’s formal education was limited to a 3rd grade level as he instead opted to work and keep his family from starving. At 19, a chance to emigrate to the USA (1951) was a dream come true, and, looking forward to this new life, Stevie set out to claim his share of the American dream.