Peter Contos Obituary

Peter H. Contos, 74, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 4, 2008. He was born February 7, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Harry P. and Mary M. Contos. A 1955 graduate of Western Michigan University, he married the lovely Jean D. Iannantuoni in July, 1957. They resided in North Riverside, Illinois for 45 years prior to relocating to Winston-Salem, NC. The couple raised two wonderful children, enjoyed many years of happiness with their close-knit extended family, and had recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Tom, a casualty of Word War II in the Pacific. Mr. Contos began his career in the insurance business, but soon turned his ambitions to the restaurant industry. He became a successful restaurateur over several decades, beginning in the late 1950's and culminating with his retirement in 1999. He was a partner/operator of a number of notable dining establishments in the greater Chicago area, working with family relatives from Greece, including an uncle and later two cousins on various entrepreneurial projects. His final business venture was as principal partner in Carrington's from 1987-1999, a steak and seafood restaurant located northwest of Chicago in suburban Itasca. He is survived by his loving wife, Jean, of Winston-Salem; two children, Kim (Greg) Rowan of Winston-Salem and Harry (Molly) Contos of Weaverville, California; four grandchildren: Rachel and Sarah of Winston-Salem and Peter and Jack of Weaverville, California; two sisters: Andreanna (Richard) Janka of Antioch, Illinois and Christina (Vern) Hillmer of Western Springs, Illinois; and many wonderful uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews. Aside from his greatest legacy of family and love, he enjoyed reading, history, puzzles, and coin collecting. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Friday, February 8, at Salem Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 9, at the funeral home with Dr. David Hughes officiating. Burial will follow in Salem Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 202 Centre Point Dr., Suite 100, Greensboro, NC 27409. Online condolences may be made at www.salemfh.com.