Gus Diamaduros

Gus Pete Diamaduros passed away in his home peacefully on June 28th, 2025.

Gus was born November 21, 1930, Karyes, Greece, a small village near Sparta. He was the youngest child of Peter and Paraskevi Diamaduros.

Gus attended grammar school in Karyes, Greece and finished high school at Hyphaestus Technical School of Arts in Athens, Greece where he lived with his three best friends Pete Copses, Jimmy Kolovos and Bill Prekezes. These four men were inseparable their entire lives. Gus, being the last of this group, has now joined them in heaven and by now, they are probably playing cards.

Gus and his family endured the German occupation of Greece beginning in 1941. Being the youngest of all of his siblings, Gus remained in the village helping his family farm and to provide food for the family. Not only did he endure the war, but also, the subsequent revolution in Greece.

Even though Gus wanted to join the Navy in Greece and wanted to be assigned to submarines, to appease his father, he joined the army instead on January 13, 1953. He became a diesel mechanic and finished his duty in the army in 1955.

After finishing his tour of duty in the army, his father, who was madly in love with America and had lived in Chester, SC for 15 years prior to the Great Depression, convinced and encouraged Gus to go to America since America had opened up its borders to immigration in the early 1950s. Gus set sail for America on the boat "Olympia" on May 24 of 1956. He reached New York on June 4 and made his way to Charlotte, North Carolina to meet his uncles and cousins. After a short stay in the south, he moved to Chicago and worked at the Drake Hotel as a room service waiter and attended Amunson College in Chicago.

Gus was the second-best man in his best friend Pete Copses' wedding in Greenville, South Carolina, where he met his future wife, Helen Poulos, a bridesmaid in the wedding. They were married on October 18 of 1959 and shared 65 years of marriage.

After marriage, the couple lived in Chicago for about a year, then moved back to Chester, South Carolina for a few years. They ultimately ended up in Union, South Carolina when Gus purchased Hearts Drive-In on November 18, 1963. Gus ran the restaurant until 1995. After selling the business, he remained active in the restaurant because retiring was not an option. He loved the restaurant and his customers so he could not stay home. Together, Gus and Helen raised two sons, Pete and Sammy, in Union SC. He was so proud of them and loved that they opened their law firm in Union. Now they are State Family Court Judges-Pete in Spartanburg and Sammy in Union.

Gus was active in many clubs and groups in Union, South Carolina including the Union Rotary Club (50+ years), the Shriners (60+ years), the Masons (60+ years), The American Legion (30+ years), The Union Country Club, many dance clubs, and The Rose Hill Candlelight Society.

After raising his sons and getting them both through college and into law school, Gus and Helen began their annual trips to Greece in 1984. Gus loved America when he was here, but when summers arrived, he had to be in Greece where the weather is cool and comfortable.

Gus's family, especially his sons, daughter's in-law and grandchildren will remember his work ethic, his guidance, his stories, the life lessons he taught them all, and most of all his unconditional love!

Gus's last wish was always to pass before any of his immediate family. That's what he is happiest about today as he rests with his Lord.

Gus is survived by his wife of 65 years, Helen, two sons, Pete (wife Gia), Sammy (wife Beth) as well as his most beloved grandchildren, Konstantine (wife Megan), Elee (husband Tommy) McCloskey, Dean (wife Applollonia), Diamaduros, Lenna Diamaduros and Anastasia Diamaduros, Ayden Lancaster and Corbin Lancaster. He also was the proud great-grandfather of Mila and Peter Bradley Diamaduros (children of Konstantine and Megan)

The family sends a special thank you to next door neighbor Brooks Carwile for all the help he gave to Gus and Helen throughout these last few years. The family also thanks the staff at Union Medical Center, The Hospice staff and the wonderful caregivers at Comfort Keepers Home Care of Spartanburg.

Visitation for friends and family will be held on Tuesday, July 1st at Holcombe Funeral Home in Union from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 2nd , 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 697 Ashville Highway, Spartanburg, SC, conducted by Father George Nayfa.

Burial will be at Wilksburg Baptist Church Cemetery in Chester, SC.

Pallbearers are Konstantine P. Diamaduros, Dean Diamaduros, Tommy McCloskey, Spiro G. Poulos, Sam P. Poulos, John P. Copses, Alan Clack and Brooks Carwile.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 1107, Spartanburg, SC 29304 are welcome.

The family will be at the home, 303 Glendale Rd., Union, SC 29379.