Theodore Mourelatos, 93, of Batavia and Fairport, passed away January 11, 2021. He was the oldest child of the late Jerry and Helen (Stathopoulos) Mourelatos, preceded in death by his brother, Anthony. Survived by his sister Alice Kocoran, niece Mary (David) Gallis, great niece Christina Forties, great nephew Daniel Gallis, great-great niece Elena Forties and many cousins in Buffalo NY, Arizona and Greece.
Ted’s family owned and operated the Batavia Tip Top Restaurant on Main Street during the 1940s. Ted was proud to say many Batavians would ask him for the restaurant hot sauce recipe. Ted graduated from Batavia High School in June 1945 and was drafted in August 1945. After his Army discharge in December 1946, he attended Rochester Business Institute and graduated in 1949. Ted began his work career as a ticket agent at the NY Central Railroad Station in Batavia. He was a railroad enthusiast and in his final years on the railroad worked in the Rochester subway. After nearly 45 years, Ted retired from the railroad.
Ted was passionate about Batavia. In his retirement, Ted often visited Batavia Downs, the local OTB, and attend every Batavia Muckdogs game he could. Whenever there was a parade he was there. He was a periodic contributor to the Batavia Daily News, focused on life in Batavia during the 1940s. Ted took great pride in maintaining the history of the Greek immigrants who settled in Batavia in the early 1900s of whom his family was one. For 75 years, Ted lived in his family home.
Ted was a big fan of the NY Yankees and the Buffalo Bills and won some bets and lost many bets with his brother, Tony. He would have been proud the Buffalo Bills made it to the playoffs this year.
Every Sunday, Ted would drive to Rochester to pick up his sister Alice and attend church services at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of which he was a devoted member. On these weekly visits to Rochester, Ted spent his Sunday afternoon with his family. There are many fond memories of Ted having water gun wars with his great niece and nephew, playing board games and what he enjoyed most was a good card game. Ted taught Christina and Daniel how to play rummy, blackjack, and poker. He upheld the family tradition of playing put and take dice game on New Year’s Day and was known as a fierce competitor. “Give me the 2” will be remembered by his family.
Ted always made sure to check in with his cousins in Buffalo and had a standing Thursday evening dinner with Chris and Marie. Spaghetti and meatballs were his favorite and Marie always had them on the menu while Chris and Ted had great discussions on politics, and how to solve world problems.
Ted was always good for a joke and he and his sister Alice shared many. One of the fondest memories will be the sponge cake Alice made for his birthday. The cake served with candles was a piece of sponge shaped as a cake and frosted. The family was aware of this and to watch Ted try to cut into the sponge will always be remembered with a smile.
Please share a laugh and a smile with someone today and think of Ted, he would like that.
Many thanks to the neighbors in Batavia who watched after him, the Annunciation Church community for their friendship and to the staff at Heathwood Assisted Living and Crest Manor Nursing Home for their care.
Funeral Service will be Tuesday, January 19, at 10:00 am at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox 962 East Ave, Rochester NY 14607. Private family burial in Batavia NY.
In his memory, donations may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 962 East Ave, Rochester NY.
Comments
2 responses to “Mourelatos, Theodore”
As the daughter of Christ and Marie Nichols in Buffalo, NY, I fondly remember Ted coming to my parents home for dinner. My mother was a great cook and often made a favorite meal for Ted. While my mother prepared for dinner, Ted and my father would “solve the problems of the world.” They had very similar beliefs and I never remember them disagreeing on anything. Recently, I was going through some old photographs of when I brought my mother to Rochester for a visit. Many photos were taken but we always knew which ones were taken by Ted because he would cut the heads off everyone. We always had a good laugh over that.
I have fond memories of Ted. He was a very friendly and kind man. I always looked forward to seeing and chatting with him in Church and I will miss him. My sincere sympathy to his lovely family. May his memory be eternal.