Demetrios (Jimmy) Zamanis was born in Greece on June 6, 1930, in the small village of Paleopirgos in the northern part of the Epirus province. He was born to Vasilios Zamanis and Polixeni (nee Anagnostopoulos) and had two older siblings: sister Eleni and brother Theofanis. He survived the war in Greece and immigrated to the U.S. in 1946. Drafted into service with the Army of the United States, he was a member of the 6th Infantry Regiment (“Regulars”) and served as an infantryman between 1951-1953. Before his service, he worked at several NYC establishments such as Perrie Luncheonette (1947-1949) and the NYC Athletic Club (1949-1951). After an honorable discharge, he worked in various NYC hotels as a bartender, most notably the Hotel Piccadilly (1953-1970) and the Pan Am Sky Club (1962-1979). From 1978-1989, he was Head Bartender for the St. Regis Hotel. Before retiring, he also owned Cliffwood Pizza in Cliffwood, NJ (1986-1995).

He married Demetra (nee Palestis) in 1955, and they started their family and settled in Old Bridge, New Jersey. Demetri commuted daily into NYC to support his family. He faced hardships, losing his son Demetri in  his late teens, his wife Demetra in 1992, and more recently (late 2020), his beloved daughter Irene at the age of 56. He spent over 25 loving years with his dearest partner, Stella Priovolos, whom he met through a want ad. His daughter wrote that he was looking for a tall, slender Greek widow; she wrote back saying she was a short and fluffy widow. They remained inseparable after their first date, traveling the world, dancing together at any Greek festival they could attend, spoiling their grandchildren, and of course, their beloved dog Cleopatra. Sadly, he lost Stella in March of 2020. Despite considerable heartache, he maintained a positive, sunny disposition, a great sense of humor, and a strong work ethic. He was an old and gentle soul and a true inspiration to anyone who knew him. He was taken care of by Stella’s daughter Dina Colonias, who welcomed him into her home and cared for him during the last 7 months of his life.

Demetri was a long-time resident of Old Bridge and Freehold, NJ. He was beloved by friends and family alike, known for his strong work ethic, his dry sense of humor, and his ability to quite literally keep dancing until the last year of his life. He was active in veterans’ organizations and was a lifelong member of Local 6 Hotel, Restaurant, Club Employees & Bartenders Union.

Demetri (Jimmy) is predeceased by wife Demetra, his partner Stella, his children Demetrios and Irene, his parents Vasilios and Polixeni, and siblings Theofanis and Eleni. He is survived by Stella’s children James and Jon Priovolos and Dina (Priovolos) Colonias, as well as his grandchildren Jessica Commarato (Sean), Michael Zamanis, Julia Castillo (Ruben), Diana Priovolos, and Melina Colonias, his close family friend Alyson Kelly, Donna Priovolos, numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, grand-nephews and nieces, and Stella’s extended family, along with Cleopatra, his beloved dog. Demetri left us in the wee hours of Monday morning, February 5th, heralded by a shooting star seen by Dina just as she had taken Cleopatra outside – a truly beautiful moment.

He was  a founding member of Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, Holmdel, NJ.

Visitation and Trisagion Service:  Monday February 12, 2024 from 2PM to 4PM and 6PM to 8PM with a Trisagion Service at 3PM  all at the Herron Funeral Home 458 Center Street Bethlehem, PA  18018.

DUE TO THE STORM ***Entombment on Wednesday February 14, 2024, with Trisagion Service at  11AM in the Mausoleum at Forest Green Park Cemetery(Rolling Hills Gardens of Marlboro) 535 Texas Road in Morganville, NJ. 07751.   www.Herronfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you donate to an animal or veterans’ charity of choice.