Andrew J. Stathas Obituary

Andrew (Andy) James Stathas age 92, passed away June 27, 2024 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He was born December 11th 1931, in Milwaukee, to James (Themistocles) and Demetra Stathas, Greek immigrants from the Peloponnese. The Stathas family lived on the south side of Milwaukee and operated The Corner Sweet Shoppe in Bayview. Andy graduated from South Division High School in 1950.

He was a proud Marine who served during the Korean War near Miami Beach, where he worked on military planes and his tan. Returning to Milwaukee after his service, he started Prima Pizza, a popular after-hours restaurant next to the Eagles' Club. Prima Pizza became a family affair with his sister Mary Reno. Several relatives who worked at Prima's met their future spouses on the job, including Andy, who met his former wife, Maria, there. Their son, Jamie Stathas, was bornin 1966. Years later, through a mutual friend, Andy met his second wife Pat while she was working at the Top Of the Inn at the Holiday Inn down the street. Their daughter Sara was born in 1975 after Pat began teaching at Pius XI High School. They would have celebrated their 50th anniversary in April 2025.

Andy's legacy is marked by generosity, hospitality, enthusiasm for helping others and dedication to family. He made friends wherever he went, whether at the former Vic Tanny where he often played handball with his buddies, or while waiting in line at the bank where he would strike up a conversation with a stranger by asking "Where did you go to high school?". Andy had a close-knit group of friends ("the boys" according to his mother) with whom he played poker or gin many Friday nights until the wee hours. Playing card games was his favorite pastime, and he continued playing with his nieces and their husbands into his 90's. He loved gardening, aninterest passed on to his daughter, winning a community award and many compliments on his flowers and landscaping.

He never missed Sara's basketball or volleyball games when she played at Pius XI High School.

He and his close friend, the late Mel Marino, have their names inscribed in the "circle of friends" at the school's entrance, engraved as "Super Fans.". Andy and his brother-in-law Ciro Menos attended the first Super Bowl game in Los Angeles, and he became an avid Packers' fan. In his later months of Alzheimer's he would often ask if the Packers were playing that day, even during the off-season.

He loved a good road trip, especially across the West, ending in southern California where he had family and friends. Along the way he and his navigators, Pat and Sara, would visit National Parks and monuments, always returning to their favorite Zion in Utah.

Andy loved cars and loved to save a buck. This led him to become the unofficial car buying consultant and negotiator for countless Pius XI teachers, friends, and friends of friends.

Andy is survived by wife Pat (Kelnhofer), son Jamie Stathas of California, and daughter Sara Stathas (Joe Picciolo) of Wauwatosa. He is also survived by sister Pauline Tsoris (George), and preceded in death by sister Mary Reno (the late Tom), Audriane Menos (the late Ciro) and his parents. His nieces and nephews were like his children: Valerie Smith (Murry), Caron Gray (Steve), the late Jim Reno (Linda), George Menos, Diane Truesdell (Tim), Jason Tsoris (Carla) and the late Detra Tsoris. He was particularly close to his in-laws, the late Hazel Kelnhofer (Gernetzke) and Jim Kelnhofer, and the whole Kelnhofer family, especially sisters-in-law Debbie Willey (the late Dennis) and Joanne Bellis (the late David).

A Celebration of Life Gathering will take place Friday July 12th at the Boerner Botanical Garden in the Garden Room from 11am-3pm: 9400 Boerner Drive in Hales Corners. Light food and beverages will be served and admission to the gardens will be covered for those interested in visiting during or after the gathering.

Thanks to Pat and Joe (our Rent-a Daughters) and Horizon Hospice, along with Andy's long-time PCP at Froedtert, Dr. Malcom.

Please consider a donation to the family for a memorial bench dedicated to Andy in the Menomonee River Parkway in Wauwatosa, a place that Andy loved and near which he lived for over 60 years.