Fairfield - John Tzimokas, 83, died February 1, 2013. He was born June 29, 1929 in Livry-Gargan, France. At the age of six he moved to Greece where he was educated in both French and Greek. In 1951, he married Cleopatra, his beloved wife, who died August 27, 2012. He served four years in the army ending his career as a Major, commander of the garrison of the main border crossing between Greece and Turkey. In 1956, he immigrated to Montreal, Canada and then settled in Vermont in 1968. For many years, he was an active member of the Owl Club, the Rotary Club and the Shriners. Prior to retirement, he and his wife were wholesale furriers and proprietors of Bettina Millinery on Catherine Street in St. Albans.

John was curious and instilled a thirst for knowledge in his children. He was a sensitive and warm hearted man who liked people and made friends easily. We loved listening to all his wonderful stories, his quick wit, his fondness of discussion about anything and his unending knowledge of what seemed like everything.

He leaves behind his daughter, Mary, (husband Harry Schwartz), and his son, Dino, (wife Eve Filion), his family and numerous friends.

Though he never lost his French accent, he died thinking of himself as a Vermonter. He will be sorely missed.

Private messages of condolence to the Tzimokas family are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.