Gust Nicholas Rizos

Gust Nicholas Rizos passed into eternal life on Sunday, May 14, 2006 . Such a fitting tribute that Gust has joined his father who also passed away on Mother's Day, May 9, 1971. Gust adored his mother and had such fond memories of her and what a blessed gift that he now finds peace with her and his beloved wife, Evelyn on a day as special as Mother's Day. Gust was a devoted husband, loving father, gracious grandfather, and precious brother and friend. He was born in Burgesstown , Pennsylvania on November 05, 1923 and was the son of the late Nicholas and Panagula ( Christides ) Rizos. The family re-located to Massillon in 1928. Gust was a graduate of Massillon Washington High School in 1942 and his first job was at Republic Steel as a laboror. He married Evelyn Colonero July 20th, 1946 and has three children. In 1939, Gust's father, Nicholas Rizos began operating The Massillon Bar and Cafe, a popular gathering place. Looking back on his younger years he admired his father for setting the foundation for his great work ethics. Gust would walk to the cafe from Longfellow Junior High at noon, eat lunch and wash some dishes for his father before returning to school. Gust entered into business with his father in 1945, and later converted it into Rizos Famous Steakhouse in 1954. This was his greatest accomplishment; operating a successful family business for 44 years with his beloved wife Evelyn and daughter Connie. Gust attributed his success to hard work, faith and dedication. Through his hard work , Rizos would become a Massillon landmark where so many people loved Gust's famous steak dinners. It was a very personalized eatery where the Rizos' enjoyed serving and creating friendships with the stars who dined there, often when performing at the former Canal Fulton summer theater. Among them were Pat O'Brien, Edward Everett Horton, Jack Kelly and Dennis O'Keefe. In 1989, Gust retired at the age of 66. He was thankful and felt blessed that his business had been so good to him for so many years. Along with his wife, he would enjoy vacationing and visiting with family in Nevada, California, and Florida. Gust was a dedicated member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. He enjoyed and was honored to serve on the St. George Greek Orthodox church board for 35 years. He truly enjoyed working with Father Shiepis and words can not express the love and admiration he felt for their friendship and the religious strength he received from him. For his many years of dedicated service to his church and to the Greek community of Massillon, he received The Distinguished Service Award, April 26, 1987 from Metropolitan Maximos. He was also a member of the Ahepa # 74. His spirit of service and compassion will always be remembered. He was a remarkable person and a superb chef. He was passionate for so long not only about cooking a mean steak, but also had a great love for reading, singing, and listening to Greek music. Also, a passionate Republican, he was as proud of his Greek heritage as he was of being an American. He was an avid football and baseball enthusiast and lifelong fan of the Massillon Tigers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Yankees. Gust taught us about working hard, embracing every opportunity, and enjoying the simple pleasures in life. We will never forget his very boisterous, fun loving personality and wonderful sense of humor. Each of our lives has been touched by his example, his strength of character, his love, faith and commitment to share life through joy and adversity that truly has been inspirational and appreciated by us all. He will be sadly missed by his children, Gary and Constance ( Rizos ) Guist of North Canton, Nicholas Rizos of Las Vegas , Nevada and Gerard and Georgiann ( Rizos ) Cruzat of Orange , California. He was a loving and proud Pa Pou to his adoring grandchildren Michael Rashid of North Canton, Robert and Nicole ( Rashid ) Kreuzer of Westerville, Ohio , Jarrod, Jenna and Jessica Cruzat of Orange , California and his great grandchildren, Alexa Constance and Nikolas Robert Kreuzer of Westerville, Ohio. Also, he is survived by his loving sister and brother in-laws, Bob and Irene ( Rizos ) Brown of Naples , Florida, Bill and Bessie ( Rizos ) Brown of North Canton, Ohio and Mrs. Amelia ( Lewis ) Rizos of Haverhill, Massachusttes, his godchild Mrs. John (Dena) Behas also his best friend Ernie Paris and a dear family friend Helen Tasseff Woolley. He has many very special neices and nephews. Preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years , Evelyn Colonero Rizos who died on January 25, 2006, brothers, Lewis Rizos who passed in 1980 , George Rizos who passed in 1950, and a special neice Pamela Brown Sandman who passed in 2000. Special thanks to all the loyal patrons of Rizos Steakhouse and to the many friends our dad made along the way during his retirement...he enjoyed his simple daily travels around town to Fisher Foods, Liebermans Bakery, Cite Grille,the girls at First Merit Bank, and the Fulton Road Sunoco BP. He truly appreciated your friendship and our family thanks you for all the kindness you extended to him. A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, May 18th, 2006 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church at 11:00 a.m. with visitation at Paquelet Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 17th, 2006 between 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. A Trisagion Service with Father Costa Valantasis will be held at the funeral home at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church 356 First St. S.E. Massillon, Ohio 44646. or Mercy Medical Hospice, 7568 Whipple Ave. North Canton, Ohio, 44720.