Andrew Anthony Karagas ‘Andy the Greek’ unexpectedly left the planet Sept. 11th, 2017 at his home of 42 years in Port Townsend, Wa. Born in Chicago, Ill., he was the youngest child of Greek immigrants Anthony Karagas and Asimina Gouletas. Raised on Chicago’s south side, he grew up surrounded by the love of a large extended family. Raised Greek Orthodox, he attended Greek school and was fluent in the language and culture. From an early age, he worked in family restaurants and learned the business at his father’s knee. He graduated from Hyde Park High School.
As a young man he hung out at a pool hall with friends, one of whom remembers that “when no one was wearing sport coats, he wore a pink one,” an early indicator of his life-long penchant for looking sharp.
He was drafted into the Army in 1965 and rose to the rank of E5 Sergeant in under 2 years. During this time, he would make many important and lasting friendships.
Upon returning to Chicago, he started working in bars, most notably the Fat Black Pussy Cat. He would go on to own The Roadhouse in Chicago which he sold and moved to Port Townsend, where his only child was born and raised.
He got a job bartending at the Sea Galley and quickly took over management for many years. In the early 1990’s, Andrew would hang up his restaurant clothes and put on a Washington State Ferry uniform, where he brought his charm and gift of communication to the role of ‘dock master.’
In 2005, he was forced to retire early, due to symptoms of a rare and degenerative nerve damage disease, Myasthenia Gravis, along with other serious health issues. In the years that followed, his health improved tremendously and he had an uncommonly positive response to the treatment of the disease. He often said, that like Lazarus, he was ‘back from the dead.’
He was an intelligent man who possessed many gifts. To say he was full of personality would be an understatement. He was known to boast that he was ‘one of the most far-out cats to ever step through the pages of history.’ If you knew him, you knew that this bravado was matched, if not surpassed, by the size of his heart and compassion. He always said that he was blessed to have the friends that he had and that family was of the utmost importance. His son and grandchildren were what he was proud of most in this world.
His departure has left a giant void in the lives of those who knew and loved him but the joy and levity he brought to the world remains. He loved people, entertaining, cooking, and music, and was fearless in his self-expression. He loved living.
He is survived by his son Adam Karagas, Adam’s partner Alicia, granddaughters Addison and Charlotte, their grandmother Patricia, cousins, nieces, and nephews, Sue and his beloved Cat Squeak. He will not soon be forgotten by his many friends and the people he encountered on his way.
He is preceded in death by his parents Anthony and Asimina, brothers Constantine and George, and his sister Nancy. Those who so desire, may make memorial donations in memory of Andrew to the charity of their choice. A brief service followed by a celebration of life and potluck is planned to honor the memory of Andrew A. Karagas. The event is from 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14 at the American Legion Hall in Port Townsend.
