Obituary of Theodore Aposporos

Theodore Aposporos, known to many of his friends as "Teddy the Greek" passed away at his home (277 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY) November 23rd, 2009 at the age of 96, after a brief illness. He was predeceased by his wife, Joanne Olga Aposporos, who passed away December 29th, 1992. Theodore was born July 1st, 1913, in Poughkeepsie, NY . He was the son of George Aposporos and Pauline (Pota) Antonakos, and was the oldest of seven children. As a young lad, he sailed for Greece on June 8, 1922. He spent the next seven years traveling and living in Greece, and going to school in historic Athens, before returning home to New York aboard the Steamer Edison in 1929. Growing up our Dad worked at his father's luncheonette, George's Lunch, in the City of Poughkeepsie. As a young man, he grew to love boxing, and became one of the area's bestknown local fighters, remembered by his family and friends for the fight against Rocky Graziano on August 20th, 1943 in Madison Square Garden, using the stage name of Teddy Apostoli. In his own words, Teddy said, "I wasn't afraid of him. I was well trained and I was always in shape." The fight ended in a decision for Graziano, who understood that Teddy was one tough fighter. He once fought on the under-card of a Joe Louis fight and was always so happy to have met both Sugar Ray Robinson and Jake LaMotta. Even in recent years, Teddy always wanted to watch boxing at home and it would be so funny as he would throw punches along with the fighters he watched. On October 1, 1939, he married Joanne Olga Solomos, according to the rites of the Eastern Orthodox Church of Assumption, Poughkeepsie, NY. After his boxing career ended, Teddy became a self-employed car salesman with car lots in the City of Poughkeepsie. He used to travel back and forth to Detroit, Michigan, to bring back new card for customers and he remained interested in new, used, and antique card throughout his life. He was well liked by the people he came in contact with, and always talked about how much he enjoyed selling used cars. Teddy's other interest included singing, and his singing could bring joy and tears to the people that heard him. He sang in several area nightclubs and restaurants throughout his life, and he always sang at family weddings. Over the past few years, he vacationed in Sarasota, Florida, with his family and made many friends in the area. This past April, during a visit to Sarasota, on the the local radio stations interviewed Teddy about his boxing career. While in Florida, he also sang periodically with one of the local groups at the Elks Club. Teddy is survived by his daughters, Paula Rushano of Altus, Oklahoma, Anastasia (Staci) Homick and her husband George (Ronnie) Homick of Sarasota, Florida, and son, George Aposporos and his wife, Karen, of Poughkeepsie. Theodore was predeceased by his brothers, Tommy, Peter, Themistocles, Constantine (Gus), and his sisters, Athens and Catherine. He leaves behind his cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with many greatgreat-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Teddy also adored the family pets, Jacks, Cheyenne, and Chloe. Calling hours will be on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009, between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009, at the Greek Orthodox Church on Grand Avenue, and burial will immediately follow at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery in Poughkeepsie. The Family would prefer that in lieu of flowers, donations be given to HOSPICE, Inc. of Dutchess County, 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. May peace be with you.