Obituary of Joseph Andrew Kollias

Joseph Andrew Kollias, age 85, passed away on May 4th, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona after a 4-week illness.

Joe was born on April 13th, 1938, in Omaha, Nebraska to the late Andrew and Hersula Kollias. He attended Central High School, then enrolled at the University of Nebraska, earning his Bachelor’s degree in 1959. After serving 2 years in the National Guard he returned to Omaha where his friend Cris Mastos introduced him to her cousin, Diane Kramos. Two years later the two exchanged vows on June 14th, 1964.

Settling in Omaha Joe worked for Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company until he retired. Joe was never one to sit idle for long, however, and he soon found and bought a liquor store in the beautiful mountain town of Estes Park, Colorado. He and Diane had 6 wonderful years building that store into a successful business. He finally retired for good in 2000, moving to Tucson, Arizona to relax in the sun.

Joe is survived by his wife Diane and son Andrew, Andrew’s wife Amber and his 5 grandchildren Alexander, Melayna, Nicolas, Christos and Theodore.

The viewing will be this Thursday, May 11th at Adair Avalon Chapel in Oro Valley from 5-8pm. The Trisagion will begin at 7pm.

The funeral will be for family and close friends and will be held Friday, May 12th at 10am at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church located at 3939 Alvernon Way, Tucson, Arizona.

Memorials should be directed to the St. Demetrios’ Greek Orthodox Church building fund