Passing of a Folly Beach 'icon'

It was with great sadness on Father's Day weekend that our family marked the passing of our patriarch, Chris Zecopoulos of James Island. Chris co-owned and operated Chris and Jerry's Supermarket on Folly Beach for 25 years with his brother-in-law Jerry Spetseries. The eclectic offerings in the store and the no-frills approach to the grocery business made the store a landmark and the two owners Folly Beach icons.

Where else could one buy "Sex Wax" for a surf board, pancake batter for breakfast and imported Kalamata olives and feta cheese?

The business was truly a family-run business. All members of both families worked shifts, but Chris and his partner worked the lion's share. His labor provided the economic security and future for his four children and his wife of 52 years.

When he arrived in the United States in 1957 after his wedding in Greece, he could not speak English and had only completed a grammar school education. His schooling was interrupted by the German occupation of Greece during World War II. He was the only member of his family to leave. His parents and three brothers stayed in Greece. He and his wife settled in Charleston and eventually moved to James Island. Although he regularly traveled back to Greece, he considered the United States his home and was very proud that he was an American citizen. He loved to argue politics with whomever would listen, and he never missed voting during the elections.

He could "wheel and deal" with the best salesman in any business. He was especially good at buying cars. He would use his heavily accented English to lure the unsuspecting car salesman into a trap.

While the salesman was giving his "pitch," Chris already knew the "Blue Book" value of the vehicle and had already called three banks. The poor salesman never had a chance. If he did not get the car for the price he wanted, he walked out, no matter how close to the "altar" the deal had gotten. Most dealerships just gave up and gave in. They knew he would be back.

This man became my father-in-law in 1993 when I married his beautiful daughter. The next year we moved into a house next door. Can you say, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"? Just like the father in the movie, he wasn't exactly thrilled that his daughter was marrying a non-Greek, but we gradually became very close, and no one could ask for a better father-in-law and "Papou" (grandfather) for his grandchildren.

His life is an inspiration to me and my family. It is a true example of what can be done despite great hardships and obstacles. He never complained about the circumstances of his life. He just dealt with them daily, and he lived his life with the typical Greek attitude of "tomorrow and what it brings will come, but tonight I will dance."

We know that somewhere out there our Papou is dancing and waiting for the day when we will all dance again together.

Randy Hilyer

Montgomery Road

Charleston