Efthymios Kateris

Efthymios Kateris, 92, of Fort Lee, NJ, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 1, 2024, in Teaneck, NJ surrounded by his family.  Efthymios was born in Ano Dafni, Athens, Greece on December 11, 1931 to Theodoros and Maria (Sainis) Kateris.

He spent most of his childhood years with his beloved paternal grandmother Sophia Kateris in Drobiani, Northern Epirus, a place which he grew to love very dearly. With the onset of World War II, he was joined there by his parents and younger brother. In October 1945, with risk for their lives, the family was able to finally return to their home in Athens after making the arduous trip to secretly cross the border back into Greece.

Upon returning to Athens, as a young teenager, Efthymios worked during the day to support his parents and younger siblings while attending school at night to make up the school years lost during the war in order to complete his high school education.

In 1956, Efthymios emigrated to the United States where he immediately began working as the manager for Bickford’s cafeterias in various locations throughout Manhattan and in Yonkers, NY.

Efthymios soon met Maria Tzanetakou and were married at Saint Spryridon Greek Orthodox Church in 1961, settling in Washington Heights, NY where they were blessed with two children, Kalliope and Theodore.  In 1970, the family moved to Fort Lee, NJ.  Efthymios, who was also known as Jimmy, was one of the owners of Baumgart’s Restaurant in Englewood, NJ, along with his two brothers, for over 20 years until 1987. He was famous for making the homemade ice cream and sundae syrups.

After his retirement, Efthymios continued to enjoy cooking at home for his family and friends.  He loved travelling to back to Greece, as well as spending time in the Catskill Mountains of upstate NY.

Efthymios was a member of the Ascension Greek Orthodox Church and formerly a member of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Washington Heights, NY and Saint John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church in Tenafly, NJ.

Efthymios is predeceased by his parents Theodoros and Maria, and his younger brothers Spyridon (Spyro) and Konstantine (Gus). He is survived by his wife Maria, his daughter Kalliope, and his son Theodore.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Efthymios’ memory may be made to the Ascension Greek Orthodox Church, 101 Anderson Avenue, Fairview, New Jersey 07022.