Union County Diner Owner, Gus Katsikis, Dies at 103

The following information is provided courtesy of Dooley Funeral Home in Cranford.

Gus Katsikis departed this world at the age of 103.

Born in Andros Greece, Gus served in the Greek Merchant Marines before coming to the United States. Once entering America he enlisted in the United States Army and was later assigned to the 101st Airborne, becoming a sergeant and receiving numerous valor citations. While on active duty he fought for this country in WWII and served overseas in Europe. Once he finished his tour in Europe he was returned back to the united States to finish his duty in the military stateside.

Gus Katsikis then moved to New York City and started his life as counter help in a diner located in the heart of the city. As he learned the business he moved up to short order cook and later to cook. A couple of years later he partnered and bought the diner. After several years as owner of the diner he met his wife-to-be Nancy Saxonis of Lowell, Massachusetts and married.

Gus and his wife Nancy then moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey where they bought a two family home with his cousin. A couple of years later he sold the diner in New York and purchased another diner in Elizabeth called the Sunrise Diner located on Route 1 and 9 next to the Budweiser brewery. After selling that diner he bought the 400 Diner on Broad Street in Elizabeth where he worked until his retirement in 1980.

His wife, Nancy died in May 1985 and they are survived and mourned by their daughter, Dianne Cariello, and her husband Dominick; son, Lt. Nicholas Katsikis and his wife Judy, and three grandsons, Nicholas, Jason, and Daniel Katsikis; his great-granddaughter, Lyla Rose Katsikis, along with many other family members, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.