SFIKAS, Peter

SFIKAS, Pete. (Clarksburg, WV, Nov. 1, 1922--Warren, IL, Mar. 3, 2015). Pete was a secret agent for the Allies in Egypt, northern Yugoslavia, and Italy during WORLD WAR II. He served in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant in the Office of Strategic Services, the original CIA, where he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and the British Military Medal of Honor for gallantry in action connected with secret military operation against armed enemies.

He came to Dubuque in 1951 and owned and operated the PACKER'S INN until 1956. He was a founding member of ST. ELIAS THE PROPHET GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, where he served as president of the church council. He was a member of the Order of Ahepa and served as president. On the district level, he served as treasurer and lieutenant governor before being elected as the 46th governor of Greenfield District #14. He also was a member of the American Legion #1090, VFW and American Vets.

Sfikas sold the restaurant and was ready to move east when offered the opportunity to buy the restaurant of his friend Andrew KARIGAN. In 1987 Sfikas Restaurant at Fourth and Central Avenue became the property of Lyle Oesterborg as Sfikas brought an end to forty-one years of restaurant life and began retirement.

After retiring in 1987, Pete returned to his wife's hometown of Warren, Illinois. He was a member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Order of AHEPA #88, Yassou Club and Senior Citizens. Bessie Sfikas died on February 24, 2015 and Pete died one week later at the same hospital.

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Source:

"Pete S. Sfikas," TribToday.com. Online: http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/629389/Pete-S--Sfikas.html?nav=5022