Aristotelis "Telly" Stroumbis

Aristotelis “Telly” Nikolaos Stroumbis born October 30, 1966 in Chios, Greece, lost his courageous 11 month battle with Glioblastoma brain cancer on May 27, 2022. He is survived by his devoted wife, Elissa Kyle Stroumbis, his parents Nikolaos and Perdika Stroumbis, and sister Kiki Stroumbis.

Telly, as he was affectionately called, was a first generation Greek immigrant, arriving in Baltimore, MD when he was just 2 years old. He was incredibly proud of his Greek heritage, and that pride and culture helped to form the hardworking, loyal, generous and compassionate man everyone knew him to be.

Telly’s passion for the restaurant business began in his early teen years, where he preferred work over any other after school activity. His career spanned nearly three decades, ranging in positions from waiter, managing partner, maître d’, to eventually owning his own restaurant, where he designed the menu and prepared all the meals.  

Telly spent the last twelve years as the owner and founder of The Goldfather of Essex. He started the business with a small counter just buying gold, but together with his wife Elissa, grew the business to include coin buying, diamond and gemstone appraisal and purchase, loans on jewelry, retail jewelry shows, as well as building a franchise.

His passion for work could be only be outshadowed by his love for his adoring wife, his love for his family, and his lifelong friendships. He loved entertaining, whether that be at his shop or his favorite place, his “clubhouse” on the water. He was very sociable, and would never say No to going out, or to a shot of ouzo with a friend.  He was known for his humorous story-telling, larger than life personality and a smile that lit up the room.  Life on the water, hunting, fishing, playing poker with his buddies, and traveling, especially back home to Greece, were just some of the hobbies he enjoyed.

Telly was one of a kind and will truly be missed by anyone who was fortunate enough to know him.

 May his memory be eternal. 

The family will receive friends at the Connelly Funeral Home of Dundalk, 7110 Sollers Point Rd. on Wednesday from 1-3 & 5-8 pm. A Trisaigon service will be held at 7 pm. A funeral service  for Telly will be held on Thursday 12 noon at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 520 S. Ponca St., Baltimore, Md. 21224. Interment to follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery.