MANOLITSIS, Emmanuel "Mike"

Emmanuel “Mike” Manolitsis, 75, of Bristol, husband of Toula (Demou) Manolitsis, died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008, at Hartford Hospital after a brief illness. He was born Sept. 1, 1933, in Tunis, Tunisia and was a son of the late Zaffiris and Alexandra (Kavouras) Manolitsis. He grew up in Rhodes, Greece. He was the original co-owner of Bristol Pizza for 36 years. He was a member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Bristol, the Pan-Rhodian Society and the Hellenic Club. He was a gentle man and enjoyed spending time with his family and helping his son at Amano’s Pizza. He was an avid sports fan and especially favored UConn basketball. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. “Mike” loved playing cards at the Greek Club in Hartford with all of his friends on Tuesday nights. Besides his wife Toula, he leaves a son and daughter-in-law, Evangelos “Van” and Melissa Manolitsis of Bristol; two daughters, Sandy Dimitratos and her friend, Bruce Maneeley, of Broad Brook and Lynn Valaris of Southbury; a sister, Kaliopi Ventoutsos of Wethersfield; seven grandchildren Cathi, Emmanuel, Nicholas, Alexander, Alexia, Theresa and Christopher; one great-granddaughter, Alexandra; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Astrodia. The funeral will be held Tuesday, 9 a.m. from DuPont Funeral Home, 25 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church for a memorial service at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Peacedale Cemetery, Bristol. Calling hours will be held Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. A Trisayion Service will be held Monday evening at 7 p.m. in the funeral home. Donations may be made to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 31 Brightwood Road, Bristol, CT 06010. The Manolitsis Family invites you to send a condolence message in Mr. Manolitsis’ guest book at

dupontfuneralhome.com.