I want you to know that Kathy called me this morning to inform me of your passing; it saddened me terribly. Naturally I was hoping you would get to 101, then I would have gladly brought you three bottles of Crown Royal; remember I brought you one bottle when you turned 99, then two on your 100th, and it would have been my pleasure to bring three bottles on your 101st.
I already miss you, I miss our excursions to hunt the ditches in search of greens…you always knew where they were. They were delicious after we cooked them and drenched them in olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Your stifado and frickasay was the best I ever tasted…anywhere; and who’d of ever thought that a 99 year old Greek man could turn out enchiladas better than any Mexican. I can still hear you when you’d call me and say; “Pete, call everybody for lunch, I’m cooking today.” And I’d call Tom Jolas, Soc and Telly Pappajohn along with everyone else and simply say; “John’s cooking…those few words would fill the table.
John you represented those who came to this country in search of a better life, you and millions of other from all corners of the earth who picked up and left their families and villages with little resources to embarked upon a journey to a strange land became the fabric that built this country into what it is. Each year those like you are disappearing, becoming rare on our landscape. I will miss you something terrible; may your memory be eternal……
Peter Children
4 thoughts on “Goodbye John (Bizos), by Peter Children”
Peter John needs to stop drinking Crown Royal, and get on some weed. Then he wouldn’t be so gruff, and would be happier with himself…
Pete,
I too am sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a great cook. I too have some great memories. His calls every few months to check up on my Kathy and my children. The many gifts he bestowed upon me my family when I was young and in need. When time were tough he came through my door with bags of groceries. Those memories will always be embedded in my heart. I won’t forget how he called the Padogious (forgive my spelling of the name) family in Canada to get me the famous peppery tenderloin recipe invented and made popular in Mason City at Steves Lunch. I made a ton off that recipe and I owe that all to John.
How could I forget building him some of the gaming tables at the xxxxx. Yet, he would not let me stay and gamble. The times I would take him and pick him up from one of the high stakes games in Clear Lake, Charles City, or Sheffield. John knew how to play cards.
I am sure you will miss him but you have some great memories. We will miss him, too. And for those memories? Yes, they will be eternal.
Why do they publish obits in the globe?
I don’t get peter Children!! Why would you feel the need to publish this letter? Of course you name names!