Theodore Bagatelas, 88, of Moline, IL, died Monday, August 22, 2016, at home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 25, 2016, with a visitation from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2930 31st Avenue, Rock Island. A Trisagion service will be held at 7:30 p.m. with a visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Burial will be at Moline Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church or to Parkinson’s Research.
Theodore was born on September 17, 1927, in East Moline, IL, the son of William and Rebecca Gounis Bagatelas. He graduated from United Township High School and attended the former Moline Community College. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Navy. During the Civil War in Greece in 1947, he served as a Greek interpreter for the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean and the Greek general staff. He was a member of the EM Post 227 American Legion and participated in the World War II Veterans Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Ted along with his brother, George, and sister, Dorothy, grew up working in the family grocery store. It is here where he gained the entrepreneurial spirit that guided him in other ventures over the years. The son of a Greek immigrant, he ran a snack bar out of the family’s grocery store after his discharge from the U.S. Navy.
In 1951, along with their brother-in-law, George Yokas, the trio opened their first Sportsland store in downtown East Moline. The company expanded into Moline and Davenport over the years. The business consisted of both the Athletic Center specializing in retail sporting goods and servicing school athletic departments in the Midwest and the Family Fun Center selling boats, motorcycles, and pool tables. In 1972, Ted traveled to Hamamatsu, Japan as a guest of the Suzuki Motorcycle Co. for his companies’ outstanding sales.
The brothers began their career in real estate with the development and purchase of various apartment projects in the area. In 1970, they completed the construction of the 12 story luxury high rise Summit Ridge Condominiums on the bluff above downtown East Moline. In his later years, Ted was president of Imperial Home Builders, Ltd. with construction of homes in Illinois and Iowa.
In 1981, reaching out to a new venue that attracted his attention, Ted successfully opened his first Gulliver’s Travel store in SouthPark Mall. Today there are Gulliver’s agencies in Illinois, Iowa, and Tennessee.
One of Ted’s proudest achievements is not one of business at all. He served as president of St. George Greek Orthodox Church from 1969 to 1971 when Interstate 74 construction in downtown Moline forced the church to move. He led the development of the congregation’s present house of worship in Rock Island and spearheaded the fundraising. Ironically, his brother, George, was president of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in 1981 during its construction. Ted belonged to both churches over the years and served on both parish councils. He was also one of the original organizers of the Greek Cultural Festival in downtown Moline.
His interest in development was always a part of his life. Friends and associates described him as an optimist and a survivor, some stating “Ted learns by his mistakes and is not afraid to try something different”. Others say, “Bagatelas won’t give up, as long as he’s living he will never quit trying”. And as to death he is quoted as saying, “How exciting to see what is on the other side”.
In 1957, he married Pauline Strenglis in St. Paul, Minnesota. Later in 1991, he married Karen Sandberg in Kauai, Hawaii.
Ted lived life to its fullest and both he and Karen enjoyed traveling and their weekly dancing and socializing. Earlier he was an active jogger, a great Illini fan and loved politics. He loved his adorable cats, Cracker and Maggie.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Karen; three sons, William Bagatelas, East Moline, IL, Todd (Cyndi) Bagatelas, Memphis, TN, Paul (Christine) Bagatelas, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; grandchildren, Olivia and Elena, Memphis, TN, Pauline, Nicolas, Emilie, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; stepchildren, Kelly Sandberg and Rick Sandberg; step grandchildren, Todd, Austin, and Jonathon Wadkins.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother, sister, and brother-in-law.
The family would like to send a special thank you to DJ and Vicki for all of their wonderful care.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 25, 2016, with a visitation from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2930 31st Avenue, Rock Island. A Trisagion service will be held at 7:30 p.m. with a visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Burial will be at Moline Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church or to Parkinson’s Research.
Theodore was born on September 17, 1927, in East Moline, IL, the son of William and Rebecca Gounis Bagatelas. He graduated from United Township High School and attended the former Moline Community College. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Navy. During the Civil War in Greece in 1947, he served as a Greek interpreter for the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean and the Greek general staff. He was a member of the EM Post 227 American Legion and participated in the World War II Veterans Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Ted along with his brother, George, and sister, Dorothy, grew up working in the family grocery store. It is here where he gained the entrepreneurial spirit that guided him in other ventures over the years. The son of a Greek immigrant, he ran a snack bar out of the family’s grocery store after his discharge from the U.S. Navy.
In 1951, along with their brother-in-law, George Yokas, the trio opened their first Sportsland store in downtown East Moline. The company expanded into Moline and Davenport over the years. The business consisted of both the Athletic Center specializing in retail sporting goods and servicing school athletic departments in the Midwest and the Family Fun Center selling boats, motorcycles, and pool tables. In 1972, Ted traveled to Hamamatsu, Japan as a guest of the Suzuki Motorcycle Co. for his companies’ outstanding sales.
The brothers began their career in real estate with the development and purchase of various apartment projects in the area. In 1970, they completed the construction of the 12 story luxury high rise Summit Ridge Condominiums on the bluff above downtown East Moline. In his later years, Ted was president of Imperial Home Builders, Ltd. with construction of homes in Illinois and Iowa.
In 1981, reaching out to a new venue that attracted his attention, Ted successfully opened his first Gulliver’s Travel store in SouthPark Mall. Today there are Gulliver’s agencies in Illinois, Iowa, and Tennessee.
One of Ted’s proudest achievements is not one of business at all. He served as president of St. George Greek Orthodox Church from 1969 to 1971 when Interstate 74 construction in downtown Moline forced the church to move. He led the development of the congregation’s present house of worship in Rock Island and spearheaded the fundraising. Ironically, his brother, George, was president of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in 1981 during its construction. Ted belonged to both churches over the years and served on both parish councils. He was also one of the original organizers of the Greek Cultural Festival in downtown Moline.
His interest in development was always a part of his life. Friends and associates described him as an optimist and a survivor, some stating “Ted learns by his mistakes and is not afraid to try something different”. Others say, “Bagatelas won’t give up, as long as he’s living he will never quit trying”. And as to death he is quoted as saying, “How exciting to see what is on the other side”.
In 1957, he married Pauline Strenglis in St. Paul, Minnesota. Later in 1991, he married Karen Sandberg in Kauai, Hawaii.
Ted lived life to its fullest and both he and Karen enjoyed traveling and their weekly dancing and socializing. Earlier he was an active jogger, a great Illini fan and loved politics. He loved his adorable cats, Cracker and Maggie.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Karen; three sons, William Bagatelas, East Moline, IL, Todd (Cyndi) Bagatelas, Memphis, TN, Paul (Christine) Bagatelas, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; grandchildren, Olivia and Elena, Memphis, TN, Pauline, Nicolas, Emilie, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; stepchildren, Kelly Sandberg and Rick Sandberg; step grandchildren, Todd, Austin, and Jonathon Wadkins.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother, sister, and brother-in-law.
The family would like to send a special thank you to DJ and Vicki for all of their wonderful care.
Theodore Bagatelas, 88, of Moline, IL, died Monday, August 22, 2016, at home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 25, 2016, with a visitation from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2930 31st Avenue, Rock Island. A Trisagion service will be held at 7:30 p.m. with a visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Burial will be at Moline Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church or to Parkinson’s Research.
Theodore was born on September 17, 1927, in East Moline, IL, the son of William and Rebecca Gounis Bagatelas. He graduated from United Township High School and attended the former Moline Community College. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Navy. During the Civil War in Greece in 1947, he served as a Greek interpreter for the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean and the Greek general staff. He was a member of the EM Post 227 American Legion and participated in the World War II Veterans Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Ted along with his brother, George, and sister, Dorothy, grew up working in the family grocery store. It is here where he gained the entrepreneurial spirit that guided him in other ventures over the years. The son of a Greek immigrant, he ran a snack bar out of the family’s grocery store after his discharge from the U.S. Navy.
In 1951, along with their brother-in-law, George Yokas, the trio opened their first Sportsland store in downtown East Moline. The company expanded into Moline and Davenport over the years. The business consisted of both the Athletic Center specializing in retail sporting goods and servicing school athletic departments in the Midwest and the Family Fun Center selling boats, motorcycles, and pool tables. In 1972, Ted traveled to Hamamatsu, Japan as a guest of the Suzuki Motorcycle Co. for his companies’ outstanding sales.
The brothers began their career in real estate with the development and purchase of various apartment projects in the area. In 1970, they completed the construction of the 12 story luxury high rise Summit Ridge Condominiums on the bluff above downtown East Moline. In his later years, Ted was president of Imperial Home Builders, Ltd. with construction of homes in Illinois and Iowa.
In 1981, reaching out to a new venue that attracted his attention, Ted successfully opened his first Gulliver’s Travel store in SouthPark Mall. Today there are Gulliver’s agencies in Illinois, Iowa, and Tennessee.
One of Ted’s proudest achievements is not one of business at all. He served as president of St. George Greek Orthodox Church from 1969 to 1971 when Interstate 74 construction in downtown Moline forced the church to move. He led the development of the congregation’s present house of worship in Rock Island and spearheaded the fundraising. Ironically, his brother, George, was president of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in 1981 during its construction. Ted belonged to both churches over the years and served on both parish councils. He was also one of the original organizers of the Greek Cultural Festival in downtown Moline.
His interest in development was always a part of his life. Friends and associates described him as an optimist and a survivor, some stating “Ted learns by his mistakes and is not afraid to try something different”. Others say, “Bagatelas won’t give up, as long as he’s living he will never quit trying”. And as to death he is quoted as saying, “How exciting to see what is on the other side”.
In 1957, he married Pauline Strenglis in St. Paul, Minnesota. Later in 1991, he married Karen Sandberg in Kauai, Hawaii.
Ted lived life to its fullest and both he and Karen enjoyed traveling and their weekly dancing and socializing. Earlier he was an active jogger, a great Illini fan and loved politics. He loved his adorable cats, Cracker and Maggie.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Karen; three sons, William Bagatelas, East Moline, IL, Todd (Cyndi) Bagatelas, Memphis, TN, Paul (Christine) Bagatelas, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; grandchildren, Olivia and Elena, Memphis, TN, Pauline, Nicolas, Emilie, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; stepchildren, Kelly Sandberg and Rick Sandberg; step grandchildren, Todd, Austin, and Jonathon Wadkins.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother, sister, and brother-in-law.
The family would like to send a special thank you to DJ and Vicki for all of their wonderful care.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 25, 2016, with a visitation from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2930 31st Avenue, Rock Island. A Trisagion service will be held at 7:30 p.m. with a visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Burial will be at Moline Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church or to Parkinson’s Research.
Theodore was born on September 17, 1927, in East Moline, IL, the son of William and Rebecca Gounis Bagatelas. He graduated from United Township High School and attended the former Moline Community College. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Navy. During the Civil War in Greece in 1947, he served as a Greek interpreter for the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean and the Greek general staff. He was a member of the EM Post 227 American Legion and participated in the World War II Veterans Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Ted along with his brother, George, and sister, Dorothy, grew up working in the family grocery store. It is here where he gained the entrepreneurial spirit that guided him in other ventures over the years. The son of a Greek immigrant, he ran a snack bar out of the family’s grocery store after his discharge from the U.S. Navy.
In 1951, along with their brother-in-law, George Yokas, the trio opened their first Sportsland store in downtown East Moline. The company expanded into Moline and Davenport over the years. The business consisted of both the Athletic Center specializing in retail sporting goods and servicing school athletic departments in the Midwest and the Family Fun Center selling boats, motorcycles, and pool tables. In 1972, Ted traveled to Hamamatsu, Japan as a guest of the Suzuki Motorcycle Co. for his companies’ outstanding sales.
The brothers began their career in real estate with the development and purchase of various apartment projects in the area. In 1970, they completed the construction of the 12 story luxury high rise Summit Ridge Condominiums on the bluff above downtown East Moline. In his later years, Ted was president of Imperial Home Builders, Ltd. with construction of homes in Illinois and Iowa.
In 1981, reaching out to a new venue that attracted his attention, Ted successfully opened his first Gulliver’s Travel store in SouthPark Mall. Today there are Gulliver’s agencies in Illinois, Iowa, and Tennessee.
One of Ted’s proudest achievements is not one of business at all. He served as president of St. George Greek Orthodox Church from 1969 to 1971 when Interstate 74 construction in downtown Moline forced the church to move. He led the development of the congregation’s present house of worship in Rock Island and spearheaded the fundraising. Ironically, his brother, George, was president of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in 1981 during its construction. Ted belonged to both churches over the years and served on both parish councils. He was also one of the original organizers of the Greek Cultural Festival in downtown Moline.
His interest in development was always a part of his life. Friends and associates described him as an optimist and a survivor, some stating “Ted learns by his mistakes and is not afraid to try something different”. Others say, “Bagatelas won’t give up, as long as he’s living he will never quit trying”. And as to death he is quoted as saying, “How exciting to see what is on the other side”.
In 1957, he married Pauline Strenglis in St. Paul, Minnesota. Later in 1991, he married Karen Sandberg in Kauai, Hawaii.
Ted lived life to its fullest and both he and Karen enjoyed traveling and their weekly dancing and socializing. Earlier he was an active jogger, a great Illini fan and loved politics. He loved his adorable cats, Cracker and Maggie.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Karen; three sons, William Bagatelas, East Moline, IL, Todd (Cyndi) Bagatelas, Memphis, TN, Paul (Christine) Bagatelas, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; grandchildren, Olivia and Elena, Memphis, TN, Pauline, Nicolas, Emilie, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; stepchildren, Kelly Sandberg and Rick Sandberg; step grandchildren, Todd, Austin, and Jonathon Wadkins.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother, sister, and brother-in-law.
The family would like to send a special thank you to DJ and Vicki for all of their wonderful care.
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