Jerry Gus Caravas, Sr., 85, passed away Monday April 28, 2014. He was a native of Cephalonia, Greece and was the son of the late James and Stella Caravas and an active member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, AHEPA and Cephalohian Society. He was also honored as Father of the Year in 2011.

He and his brother Speros, owned and operated The Merrimac Cafeteria, which was the first cafeteria in downtown Portsmouth in 1973. He helped at the Greek Festival for many years as a chef. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting.

He is survived by his wife Mary of 62 years; daughter, Stella Caravas Lilley and husband Eddie; son, Dr. Jerry G. Caravas, Jr. and wife Cindy; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister Helen Sanders; three brothers, Speros Caravas, Dennis Caravas and Pete Caravas.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral with The Reverend Father George Bessinas and Reverend Father Constantine P. Rogakos officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery. A Trisagion Service will be conducted at 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at Foster Funeral Home, Portsmouth. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be sorely missed and his memory will be in our hearts forever. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305.