Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Konstantinos Anastasios Gus Demanelas. Gus was a giant oak of the Morgantown, West Virginia community and downtown businesses.In combination my mom 91 and I 57 have witnessed the impact Gus and his brother Bill along with their wives and children have had on this town and its citizenry, Great memories were made of this and still are. Special prayers and thoughts to Gus's wife Hrysanthi "Christine" and to sons Ernie and wife Anna and Tony. My mother and the Morgantown Soroptimist Club composed of diverse women of business professions in Morgantown routinely met and dined holding dinner meetings at The Flame Restaurant many years, Selection of that site was attributable to the welcoming, warmness and friendship emitted by Gus and his brother Bill and your entire family. Myself having grown up in Morgantown knew Ernie and Tony and in fact was a fellow Soroptimist Club Youth Citizenship Award recipient along with Tony or Ernie in 1976.Morgantown has benefitted from a remarkable group of first and second generation Americans who immigrated from their ancestral home countries and who each developed highly successful and enduring local Moragntown businesses. Such rrich history of immigrants from Albania, Greece, Baltic countries and Eoropean countries should be preserved in written form for future generations to explore and learn from by example how through hard work, perserverance and in combination with excellent public relations and rapport garnered capturing of the " American dream" demonstrating that it is possible . As those generation of persons pass by attrition and aging, such heritage is at risk, so it is vitally significant and urgent that written survey of the impact immigrants who succeeded in business in downtown Morgantown WV be compiled, oral histories collected, writing down statements of stories and recollections and then publish this material for others to share, enjoy and treasure and pass along to the future generations of citizens of Morgantown WV, but not only Morgantown WV but such is an American history that needs communicated nationwide and yes worldwide inspiring others to follow leads of Gus and Bill and others who made a difference in lives of so many for they touched our hearts, and lexicon of thinking and shaped how we today conduct business or at least should conduct businesses based on their examples such as that of Gus Demanelas .Meeting and greeting a friendly man with a big smile each time where ever one met Gus was imprinted on memories of thousands who grew up , gained educations, worked in Morgantown or remained here as citizens and raised their families. Thanks to Gus and his fellow immigrant colleagues in Morgantown for enriching our lives, creating lasting memories and know that like Gus each will be reflected upon in memory and be part of our hearts, minds, bodies and souls for eternity. Blessings to all of the Demanelas family and know that many share your loss and also celebrate the rich and full life of Konstantinos Anastasios Gus Demanelas For he made an impact not only in his own family, but in his municipal community, business community which was unprecedented throughout West Virginia, the USA and worldwide. He made Morgantown a friendlier, happier place by his presence and his life's work. Blessings.
