Alexander M. Manolakas

US MARINE CORPS
KOREAN WAR CONFLICT

Alexander Manolakas, beloved husband of Vera for 55 years, passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2018, at the age of 84 surrounded by his family. Dear father of Stacy (Stuart MacAskill), Angela and Michael (Colleen). Son of the late Michael and Stamatia Manolakas. Brother of George (Dinomachi) and the late Sotiri (Demetra), brother-in-law to Irene Stambolos and the late Angelo Stambolos, grandfather of Alexandra, Alexis, Christina, Courtney and Sean and uncle of Michael, Stamatia (Steve Garris), Marianthy (Chris Haight), Peter, Tia (Ken Rudofski) and Sharon (Stefan Weber).

Alex was born in 1933 in Lagada, Chios, Greece. Lagada is a rural town. Their home in Greece had no running water or electricity. Growing up during WWII was difficult. Alex came to this country at the age of 12. He worked hard to learn the new language and finish high school. At the age of 18 he joined the US Marines and was an MP in the Korean War. As he was getting his naturalization papers, he was told to change his name because they said Alexandros Manolakas was too difficult to say. Being respectful of authority and proud of his heritage, Alex did change his name to Alexander Manolakas.

At the age of 25 he and Vera crossed paths, but four years later when Vera was in Detroit visiting family, fate took its course. Alex asked her out and on the third date of the same week of their trip, he asked her to marry him, the formal engagement happened the next week, and the couple married four months later. They started their family of five in Detroit. Alex was helpful at home; this trait was easily learned by his children as they are all known for their work ethic. The couple lived in Detroit for 14 years before moving to Farmington Hills.

Living in Michigan was a blessing and a joy. He was close to his brothers, mother and father. In the Manolakas family, Alex, his brothers, and their wives all took pride in supporting each other no matter what. Faith and family were the most important things in life. Sundays were special because the families were at church. He was an officer and a member of the Chios Society in Detroit, and a member of AHEPA. The many extended family birthdays, holiday gatherings, hours at the dinner table, and many games of Tovli with his brother George are memories that will be cherished.

Alex moved his family to Cincinnati and continued to work for Ford Motor Company. He took pride in everything he did and was responsible for several patents during the time he worked for Ford. It was time to find new extended family. He and Vera became close with the neighbors and the Greek community in Cincinnati. Alex and Vera became empty nesters and in true form became more involved with the church and organizations.

Although the move was difficult for him, he always looked forward to whomever would “stop by” on their drive to Florida after Christmas. Alex was especially fond of his grandchildren and was happy being a Papou. Alex never met a stranger and was kind to all. He loved his trips to Greece. He enjoyed fishing, soccer, and traveling to see family whether it was Greece, Gary, IN, or California.

Alex was a strong and determined man. In 2002, he had a heart valve replacement, where we learned he had a survived a heart attack. In 2012, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer and wasn’t given much of a chance to survive. In typical fashion, he wanted to be around for his wife and family, so he fought. Both Alex and Vera cherished every day even more than they had before and said those were the best years of their lives. In March of 2018, we learned he had metastasized cancer and it spread to his bones and throughout his body. The pain many would say was unbearable, but not for him. He fought and stayed strong and seldom complained, and often lied about how much pain he was in so Vera wouldn’t worry. In June when he was hospitalized, he fought so family members could come and share one last laugh and story. He never wanted to be a burden to Vera; and told each of his children they didn’t have to come and that he was fine. As Vera and the kids were trying to take on all the housework, he would say “let me do something”. As recently as June 19th, he was helping. That was Alex, the provider and the true definition of husband, father and grandfather.

He often told people that Vera “Is an Angel”. Over Father’s Day weekend he called the family and pointed to his wife and said, “She is an Angel”. He appreciated his wife. The love and care they had for each other is difficult to describe, but either one of them would go to the end of the earth for each other.

His memory will be eternal in our hearts.

Visitation will be at Mueller Funeral Home ( 6791 Tylersville Rd , Mason, OH ) on Sunday from 5-8 pm. Funeral Service will be on Monday at Holy Trinity – St Nicholas Greek Church ( 7000 Winton Rd, Cincinnati, OH) at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Trinity – St Nicholas Greek Church or MD Anderson Cancer Center for bladder cancer research .

To send a condolence, visit MuellerfuneralS.com  513-398-9100