George
Alex - Γιώργος Αλεξάκης
Spero and Cleo Alex, both from Krokeai, Greece, were married in 1920 in
Indianapolis, Indiana, and moved to Johnstown, Pennsylvania. They had four
children: Eva, Manuel, Rosie and George. Spero died at the age of 38, and
Cleo decided to go back to Krokeai with her children. In 1939, the oldest
son, Manuel (Menelaos) Alex, returned from Krokeai to Johnstown on the last
ship to sail from Piraeus just before the outbreak of WWII. The rest of the
family was not able to join him until after the end of the war.Manuel came
to Dayton the same year (1939) to stay with his uncle Peter Stamas (brother
of his mother) and aunt Mary Stamas. During WWII he served with the U.S. Air
Corps. After the war he worked at Everybody’s Office Outfitters, Inc.
as a salesperson, and was responsible for the Fountain Pen repairs. In 1951
he bought the Colonial Jewelry store from John P. Theros; the name of the
store was changed to “Colonial Jewelry Watch and Pen Shop.” In 1959
he moved from Ludlow Street to 136 South Main Street next to the Victoria
Theater, and expanded the business by acquiring the Products Company and Novelties
store in Miamisburg and renaming it the Colonial Products Co., with logo "Tomorrow's
Ideas Today." He employed 7-8 people at both stores. Manuel was president
of the Parish Council, a member of AHEPA and very much involved with the Greek
community. George Alex, his younger brother, came to Dayton in 1946 and worked
at various jobs, including the Blue Bird Baking Co. During the Korean war
he joined the U.S. Army. While stationed in Wisconsin he was injured and discharged.
After that he attended the Gruen school in Cincinnati and learned how engraving
and to repair jewelry and watches. He worked for Manuel repairing and selling
jewelry. In 1959 George went to Greece and married Helen Panteleaki from Sparta.
In 1969, Manuel died at the age of 44. His wife Maxine, with four children,
couldn’t maintain the stores. Colonial Jewelry was sold in 1973 to the
Weber Company, while George bought Colonial Products Co. and kept this business
until his retirement. George and his good friend, Mike Liakakos, organized
the Senior Citizens Group of the Greek community and were active with AHEPA.
George died Dec. 12, 1990.
George
Alex, Jeweler, Working in His Shop
From>> http://home.dayton.lib.oh.us/archives/GreekPhotos/GrSeriesIIIk.html
