Pantelis “Pete” Tzortzinakis, 77, of Hazlet, died on Tuesday, February 28.

Pantelis was born and raised in Miriokefala, Crete, situated in the foothills of Mount Psiloritis in Greece. He was born to the late Eirini and Stelianos Tzortzinakis September 8, 1945.

He was the 2^nd youngest of 5 siblings, and grew up during a difficult era in Greece’s history (Post World War 2, and during the Greek Civil War). Food was scarce, and the family were farmers on the rough landscape of the mountainous region near Mount Psiloritis. At an early age Pantelis learned the value of hard work and the importance of family.

He served in the Greek military, and then on merchant shipping vessels, and eventually ended up working on one of the Hess Oil Tankers, and eventually moved to the United States, meeting up with family in Bayonne NJ, before making his way to the then hub of Greek Diaspora, Washington Heights, NY. While in Washington Heights, Pantelis was surrounded by friends and family, including his younger brother Nick, with whom he would retain close familial bonds, and would remain close with geographically. While in Washington Heights, Pantelis would often help a friend of his who owned a Mr. Softee Ice Cream truck. It was through this Ice Cream Truck that Pantelis would meet his wife Paraskevi and mother of his three children; today this could be considered creepy, but not in the late 60’s and early 70’s (just kidding, Dad).

Pantelis was already familiar with Paraskevi’s father, Gerasimos, and asked him for his blessing in courting his daughter. Soon thereafter, Pantelis and Paraskevi were married, and in the ensuing years, had three children, Stelios, Ioannis Stavrou(os), and Spiros Andreas. Pantelis was a proud and tireless worker, taking on and working 2-3 jobs at a clip. He worked with pride and had a tireless, diligent work ethic, one that he consistently modelled for his children. He was fond of taking his children, especially his middle child Ioannis (John) to work with him, which was a treasured experience and memory for both of them, especially when he would take John to the fur factory near the Empire State Building. In one instance, an 8-year-old John was in the show room with some of the workers, and they were kind enough to introduce him to a naughty calendar, the first time he had seen such exciting material.

John would sweep up the fur debris and staples and took great pride in his work. Pantelis would take John for lunch at Blimpie’s where they would each have a sub which contained the works: Ham, Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, salt, pepper, oil, vinegar and mayonnaise – John always looked forward to this trips with his dad especially the lunch time visits to Blimpie’s.

Pantelis and Paraskevi raised their three sons to the best of their ability within the changing landscape of Washington Heights. Pantelis shared with them the lessons he learned under the shadow of Mt. Psiloritis and on the rugged terrain of Miriokefala. He taught his sons to be responsible, self-reliant, and honest. “Protect each other, protect the family – together you are unbreakable.” Family was the end all be all to Pantelis, and he echoed this sentiment time and again.

Pantelis was kind, with a deep booming voice, and a deep loud laugh. He was a man’s man, courageous, tough, and loving, he loved being a father and loved his children mightily. To Pantelis, there was no greater mark of a man than to say something, to make a promise, and to back it up with action consistently, so that it became a hallmark of that person. Pantelis faced many challenges during his life as he raised his young family. There were tragedies and setbacks, and he faced them all with grit, grace, and determination – traits that he modelled for his young boys, which they would internalize and adapt to their personalities as well; traits that would serve them well in their lives.

With his young family now growing, Pantelis moved his family to Bensonhurst, Brooklyn kicking off a new and exciting chapter in his life – he was now a “Brooklis,” as his family was fond of saying.

While in Brooklyn, Pantelis continued to work multiple jobs, and on certain days, would commute to Coney Island, and Long Island (with his son John, who was attending college near to where Pantelis worked in Long Island). These morning and afternoon trips were treasured by them both. While visiting his dad one late afternoon to pick him up and drive home, John walked into the Long Island Fur Factory warehouse to see his father Pantelis’ work area. There, his father had laid out some skins on what looked like a huge rectangular board that resembled sheetrock – it was the size of a cafeteria table. When he was younger John would see his dad stretch and staple skins to this table, and then his father would lift, move, and set countless numbers of these tables, and repeat the process throughout the day.

John tried to move and lift the table but was shocked to discover that he couldn’t even budge it. Although he already had an appreciation for his dad and his work ethic, John had an even greater appreciation for just how hard his dad worked on a daily basis.

Pantelis took great pride in being self-sufficient, and, to his wife’s (and some neighbor’s) chagrin, built a chicken coop in the backyard of the Brooklyn building that he managed. He also built out and tended to a beautiful vegetable and flower garden as well. Pantelis also loved animals, especially cats and dogs. He raised and trained a number of dogs throughout his life, and has passed on this skill to his children.

Pantelis leaves behind a lasting legacy that his family is proud of – to his children he defined what it means to be a man; a strong classic definition: A man loves and protects his family, teaches his children that there is right and wrong with some room for nuance; you protect your loved ones, family and friends, and although you don’t go out of your way to seek fights, sometimes you have to fight because you need to help justice to prevail. Your word carries great responsibility – be true to your word and consistently back it up with action so much so that when you say something, people can bank on your word. A man does not shirk his responsibilities; he uses grit and determination to overcome obstacles, and he doesn’t run from obstacles, although he doesn’t seek them out, they are expected. Be tough, be relentless, be patient. Be passionate, love deeply, calm yourself and think as clearly as possible, and be assertive and confident when making decisions, knowing that you evaluated all available options at the time. No regrets. Make the best of every situation, take joy in your successes, and love everyone you are close with every day – time waits for no one.

Pantelis was a fantastic role model; humble, loving, hardworking, passionate, responsible, resolute, honest, trustworthy, fun, a great poker player, and loved playing “tavli” with friends and family.

They don’t make them like Pantelis anymore. I love you Dad, rest in eternal peace.

He is predeceased by his parents Eirini and Stelianos Tzortzinakis, and his sister Maria Tzortzinakis.

Surviving is his loving wife Paraskevi Tzortzinakis, his sons, Stelios Tzortzinakis of Hazlet, John Tzortzinakis of Parlin, and Spiros Andreas Tzortzinakis of Hazlet, his brothers Andreas (Crete), Ioannis (Crete), and Nikos Tzortzinakis (Freehold), his two beloved grandchildren, Pantelis Orion Tzortzinakis and Georgios Leonidas Tzortzinakis, and countless friends and family in the United States and Greece.

A memorial gathering will be held on WED March 8, 2023, from 5pm – 7pm at Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel. A funeral home service will be offered at 5pm. Cremation will be private.

In lieu of traditional remembrances, Pantelis’ family asks with gratitude that donations in his name be made to the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance (www.sczaction.org)

For messages of condolence, or to share a favorite memory of Pantelis, please visit his page of tribute at www.HolmdelFuneralHome.com