Gus "Kosta" John Zourzoukis

Gus “Kosta” Zourzoukis, 94, fell asleep in the Lord peacefully at his home on September 17, 2024, surrounded by his family, just as he prayed he would. Kosta was the son of the late John and Athena Zourzoukis and grew up in the small mountain village of Klafsion, Greece. As a child, he experienced the harshness of war, as well as the amazing strengths and love of humanity, which helped him survive those difficult times. After serving in the Greek Army for four years, Kosta immigrated to the United States in 1956. After a brief stay in Harpers Ferry, WV, and Lexington, VA, he moved permanently to Asheville, NC. In 1959, after a short time at the Montford Café, Kosta and his brothers, George, Demo, and Chris built the Three Brothers Restaurant in downtown Asheville, where he faithfully served customers from Asheville and beyond as a chef for over 35 years before his retirement in 1994. In 1965, Kosta returned briefly to Greece to marry the love of his life, Penelope, with whom he had two beautiful daughters, Athena and Eleni. He was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian, devoting his life and his loving heart to serving his family and friends, his church, and his community. Kosta and Penelope raised their children in the Greek Orthodox Church and instilled in them the importance of faith and their Greek heritage, and his own life was a testament to the power of Christian love and the Hellenic spirit. He was an active member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, the Order of AHEPA, and Velouchi Association Chapter 6. Kosta had a passion for cooking that didn’t end at the door of Three Brothers Restaurant, and you could always find him in the kitchen whether it be at the restaurant, a church event, the Greek Festival, the Zourzoukis annual Thanksgiving dinner, or cooking a whole lamb on a spit at Pascha. Kosta is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Penelope Zourzoukis; his beloved children Athena (Milton) Poulos and Eleni (Demet) Anagnostiadis; his devoted grandchildren Manoli (Ashley) Anagnostiadis, Carni (Mike) Winter, George Poulos, and Costa Poulos; his cherished great-grandchildren Maria and Nicholas Anagnostiadis; his brother and sisters-in-law Christos Zourzoukis and Adamandia, and Evangelia Zourzoukis, and by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother George Zourzoukis and his wife Mary, his sister Maria Andreopoulos and her husband George, and his brother Demo Zourzoukis. Kosta was a kind soul who left an indelible impression on all who were blessed to know him. He was a pillar of strength and compassion for both his family and his community, and we will always remember his kind and gentle spirit. May our risen Lord grant his soul rest in a place of light, and may his memory be eternal. His family is eternally grateful for the care and compassion provided by Four Seasons Hospice. The family will receive friends at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 227 Cumberland Avenue, Asheville, NC, on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. to honor and celebrate Kosta’s life with Father Michael Diavatis officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Green Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Kosta’s name to the Iconography Fund of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 8369, Asheville, NC 28814.

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Gus "Kosta" John Zourzoukis

February 20, 1930 - September 17, 2024