Peter Androutsos
Peter Androutsos, known as 'Liberty Pete', was born in Greece, before coming to the United States in 1909 at the age of 19. He officially became a citizen in 1926 [1]. Well known for his profound patriotism, Androutsos had a long history of supporting Licking County, which earned him his nickname.
Arriving in Newark in 1914, he became a figure in the community by 1917 when he began selling charity editions of the newspaper. He was also a strong supporter of the March of Dimes, and during World War II he was a star stamp and bond salesman for the government [1]. Androutsos was also known for his famous Thanksgiving dinners when he fed the poor and needy. In 1976 he donated a Platanos tree to the Licking Memorial Hospital, which Androutsos claims came directly from the tree that Hipprocrates, the father of medicine, taught under in Greece. [2].
In 1975 he received the Daughters of the American Revolution Americanism Award, and, in 1983 the George Washington Honor Medal from the Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation.[3]. Andtroutsos and his wife Kiki ran the Liberty Diner until his retirement in 1956. He died on April 28, 1984 and is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery. [4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Newark's proud to say 'Liberty Pete' lives here. (1979, May 29). The Newark Advocate.
- ↑ Bline, R. (1981, January 8). Pete Androutsos: 67 Years Friendship with L.C. The Licking Countian, 1B-5B.
- ↑ 'Liberty Pete' receives award. (1983, February 11). The Newark Advocate, p. 16.
- ↑ Peter D. "Liberty Pete" Androutsos. (2012, September 13). Retrieved February 13, 2015, from http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=96974968
