Keeping a promise he made to his mother, Jimmy and his younger brother Bill set out to join their father in the United States. It took three escape attempts over the mountains, but finally in 1957, Jimmy and Bill reunited with their father in America, joining him and eventually taking over the operation of Christy’s Restaurant on Cumberland Avenue in Portland. It was here where Jimmy met his wife Jean and daughter Laurie. Jean and Jimmy would marry in 1971 and in March 1973 they welcomed their son Michael.
In 1976, Jimmy sold the restaurant and set out to establish a new family business in Brunswick, Maine. Relying solely on his own carpentry skills, street smarts and determination, Maquoit Market became a reality. Jimmy moved his family to Brunswick and the business flourished. Jimmy worked alongside his wife Jean, and years later alongside his son Michael and granddaughter Nicole. Long after Maquoit Market was sold, Jimmy retired to his home on Highland Lake in Windham, where he filled his days with gardens, grapevines, bee keeping and fruit trees.
Jimmy loved his family. He worked tirelessly to provide for them. He never said no. In 1991, Jimmy, partnering with his brother Bill, was able to bring his sister and her extended families to the United States, fulfilling his long ago promise to his mother. Those children, the third generation, are now in college, became doctors, engineers and business owners. Jimmy was proud to be an American citizen. He wanted the American Dream not for himself, but his family.
Jimmy was a member of H.W. Longfellow Chapter of the Order of AHEPA. He was communicant of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Portland.
Jimmy is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jean (Patterson), daughter Laurie Landin of Brunswick, son Michael and his wife Heather of Topsham, granddaughter Nicole Burnham of Windham and grandson, Shane Burnham of Brunswick; Zorina Dilios of Topsham; great grandchildren Ariana Wenger, Christian Goulette and Tavia Goulette of Windham and Aiyden Burnham of Lisbon Falls. Also special to Jimmy were his nephews Christos Dilios of Portland, Andrew Dilios of Scarborough and Thomas Ronco of Biddeford. Jimmy was predeceased by his brother and best friend, William Dilios in 2013 and his beloved sister Marianthi Cala in 1997.
At Jimmy’s request services will be private. The Dilios family would like to thank the staff at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their superb care. To offer condolences and share memories with the family, please go to www.athutchins.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jimmy’s memory to: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Portland, Maine.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
