Varelos, Michael Nicholas

Michael Nicholas Varelos, 77, of Blacksburg, died unexpectedly Monday, November 12, 2012, at his home. He was born in Trikala, Greece, on August 23, 1935, to the late Nicholas and Helen Samaras Varelogiannis. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Bill and Leo Varelogiannis; sister, Vangalitsa Triantos, all of Greece.

Mike was a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Roanoke. After the hardship of growing up in Greece during World War II, Mike came to the United States in 1955 and became a U.S. Citizen in 1962. He opened the Manhattan Restaurant and Mike’s Place in downtown Roanoke. Mike opened Mike’s Grill in Blacksburg in 1976, and owned and operated it for 29 years. Although he has been partially retired since 2005, Mike’s Grill remains his family’s business.

He is survived by his wife, Karolyn K. Varelos; two daughters, Elaine K. Golusky and companion, Curtis M. Woods, of Elliston, Angela M. Lance, of Roanoke; son and daughter-in-law, Nicholas M. and Kelly K. Varelos, of Blacksburg; former wife and children’s mother, Alice R. Varelos, of Roanoke; brother, Chris N. Varelogiannis, of Newport Ritchie, Fla.; six grandchildren, Sarah K. Golusky, Chloe D. Lance, Rachel E. Lance, Victor A. Lance, Katherine N. Varelos, Alexis P. Varelos; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 15, 2012, in the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Roanoke, with the Rev. Father Peter Day officiating. Burial will follow in the Alleghany Memorial Park, Covington, at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Huntington Blvd., Roanoke, VA 24012.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. with Trisagion service at 7 p.m. at the McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, SW, Blacksburg.