Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

January 26, 2018

Antonio “Tony” Manousos passed away peacefully at home on January 26, 2018 at the age of 85 after a brief struggle with brain cancer.

Tony was born in Anogia (Laconia) Greece on December 12, 1932. He attended primary school in Sparti, Greece.   He survived the difficulties of World War II and the Greek Civil War and briefly considered entering the priesthood but instead emigrated to Toronto in 1951. There, he lived with his brothers while working in the restaurant industry.  

A chance encounter with a promoter at the local YMCA lead Tony into a career in professional wrestling from 1955 to 1966, during which time he traveled across the US, Canada, Middle East and Australia.   During his career, he wrestled under the name “The Golden Greek” and held titles as the Arizona State Champion and Greek Champion.  

In 1967, during a visit to Greece, he met a beautiful young woman working in a hardware store.   Maria and Tony were married on July 4, 1968 and returned to Canada later that year. The family moved to Charlotte in 1978 and have made the area their home ever since.   He was a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral and St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church.   Tony worked at several Charlotte area restaurants before purchasing Woodbutcher’s Deli in 1992.   He and his family ran the business until his retirement in 2004.

Following retirement, Tony enjoyed gardening, baking bread and reading. He was an excellent story teller and would frequently share his stories with those he met. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his four grandchildren.   He was a wonderful Pappou and will be dearly missed.    

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Maria Manousos, his brother George Manousos of Toronto, Canada; sons, Louis (Evangelia) and George (Erica) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Maria, Ellie, Eva and Leo. He was preceded in death by his parents Elias and Polyxene Manousos, as well as his sister Vassiliki Andros and his brother Niko Manousos.

The family is grateful for the incredible support of their many friends, neighbors and parishioners. They would like to thank Dr. Ashley Sumrall (Levine Cancer Institute), Dr. Beth Susi (Hospice and Palliative Care) and Dr. Scott Lankford (Matthews Radiation Oncology), as well as Paula and all the staff at Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region. Most of all, we would like to thank Dr. Pete Copsis and Dr. Robert Flores for their years of compassionate care.

Funeral service for Mr. Manousos will be held Monday, January 29, 2018, at 11:30 AM at St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church. The visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow the service in Forest Lawn East Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, 5108 Kuykendall Rd., Charlotte, NC 28270 or the Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas Brain Cancer Fund c/o Carolinas HealthCare Foundation, 208 East Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28203.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Services, 1321 Berkeley Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences at www.kennethpoeservices.com.