Michael N. Gavallas, 85, of Pensacola passed away on Monday, July 11, 1011 at a local hospital. He is survived by his wife Sophia and his daughter Patricia Gavallas of Pensacola. His son, Nicholas Gavallas, a daughter-in-law Katerina and two grandchildren Anna-Sophia and Michael Gavallas of Paros, Greece and a sister Athina Sifneou and brother-in-law Marko Sifneou. He also had many nieces and nephews. He was born in Paros, Greece and moved to Pensacola in 1956. While in Greece he served in the Greek Nationalist military under the Truman Doctrine combating the Communist forces trying to seize control from 1947-1950. He then served in the Merchant Marines and immigrated to the United States in 1955. He was a long-time downtown businessman better known as "Mr. Mike" to all who knew and loved him. He was the owner and operator of Mike's Grocery on South 'E' Street from 1957 and later built and operated Shoreline Food Store for many years. Mr. Mike raised many generations of customers in his stores and was well known for charity and compassion in dealing with his patrons. He was a member and benefactor of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church where he served as Parish council member for years, and a member and officer of the Pensacola Chapter of the order of AHEPA. He was also very active in the annual Pensacola Greek Festival for many years. Mr. Mike was also a benefactor of the Greek Orthodox Church in Paros, Greece. Visitation will be 5 to 7PM Friday at Waters & Hibbert Funeral Home. Trisagion services will be 6:45PM. Funeral services will be Saturday 10AM at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church with Fr. Peter Papanikolaou officiating. Burial will be in St. Johns Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers will be Michael Stamitoles, Constantine Foster, Chris Bithos, Spero Athasiou, George Nicolopoulos, John Theologou, George Giouzelis, John Georgiades , Spero Stanton and Bobby Pireatos. Active Pallbearers will be Charles Stamitoles Jr. Petros Tsingelis, Jimmy Malamo, Peter Stamitoles , George Makris, Alex Penenika and Chris Tsingelis. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Waters and Hibbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Additional Information