Panayiotis "Pete" Xenofondos
November 21, 1923 ~ September 23, 2021
Panayiotis “Pete” Xenofondos, 97, of Lexington Park, MD, passed away at his home on September 23, 2021. Born on November 21, 1923 in Vathylakas, Cyprus, he was son of the late Eleni Yerolemi Michael and Xenophon Michael. Pete was the loving husband of Kyriacou “Karen” Xenofondos, whom he married on July 28, 1968 in Vathylakas, Cyprus. He is survived by his children Michael Xenofondos of Waldorf, MD, Eleni (Harry) Karageorge of Falls Church, VA, Xenis Xenofondos of Lexington Park, MD, and Athena (John) Xenofondos of Falls Church, VA, as well as his grandchildren Maria Karageorge, Peter Karageorge, and Peter Von Holle, and seven nephews and one niece. He was preceded in death by his siblings Prodromos Xenofondos and Annezou Papanicolaou.
Pete was a Restaurant Owner and Operator at Pete’s Galley Restaurant and Bar in Lexington Park, MD for over 30 years, retiring in 1985. He was a faithful member of the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, in Annapolis, MD, he belonged to the Thomas J. Shryock Lodge No. 223 of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Maryland.
Pete was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He immigrated to America from Cyprus in 1950 with only a couple of dollars in his pocket and created a beautiful, enriching, and wonderful life for himself and for his family. Pete was very well-known and respected throughout the community, was a proud 32nd degree Mason for 61 years, and had a profound impact on so many lives. He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family following a stroke.
The family will receive friends on Friday, October 1, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, where Masonic Prayers will be recited at 10:45 AM, and a funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM in the funeral home chapel with Father Kosmas Karavellas officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Great Mills, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Xenofondos, Xenis Xenofondos, Ron Leonard, Michael Papanicolas, Andreas Papanicolaou, and Photos Papanicolaou.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Thomas J. Shryock Lodge No. 223 Of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Maryland at 24410 Mervell Dean Rd, Hollywood, MD 20636.
The family is requesting that Mask be worn, while in the Funeral Home.
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Sorry to hear this. A milestone here on the circle in Esperanza Farms. Pete was probably senior to all the rest of us and we will miss him. Our most sincere condolences to Karen and the family.
Eleni,
My condolences on the passing of your father. Like me, you come from a very close family and I know you all loved him very much. May he rest in peace. Best wishes to you and your family.
Eleni, I am so sorry to hear about you losing your father. No words are going to make that better right now. All I can say is that I know you and the person that you are, which means your dad was an incredible father. Until you see him again, may he be at peace.
Eleni — sending my deepest sympathies. You and your family are in my thoughts during this difficult time.
Maureen
Eleni — no matter how old we are, it’s never easy to lose a father. I can tell your father lived an impressive life. My thoughts are with you as you grieve.
I had the occasion to spend quite a few 2am’s or so as a customer with Pete. I was always impressed with his ability to handle 2am people and respected him for that ability. Very sorry for your loss. He was a good man.
As the proprietor of Southern Maryland Screen Printing, Pete was my landlord at my Great Mills Road location. An owner of a small business couldn’t ask for a better landlord. I am saddened to hear of Pete’s passing. He was such a good guy. My thoughts are with his family at this time.
Eleni and family,
I extend my deepest condolences during this time of bereavement. Be encouraged and trust in the Lord; know that He loves you and will take care of you. “…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” [Philippians 4:6].
Rejoice and cherish the precious memories, God bless you and your family!
To Eleni and family. Sending you thoughts of comfort and peace during this difficult time.
My mother and I are sorry to hear of Pete’s recent passing. We send our sincere sympathies and pray that you will find comfort in our Lord. “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Thank you for giving my mother good memories of the years she taught Athena and Eleni piano. Many blessings to your family.
Dear Eleni and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your dad and your whole family is in the Meisenheimer family’s prayers.
Dear Karen,
I just learned of Pete’s passing and so sorry for your loss. I have a lot of memories of Pete serving up hamburgers in the wee hours of the morning after my friends and I left the Friday night dance at Charlie Price’s, so long ago. Pete was a wonderful cook. As a former neighbor, I looked forward to those delicious figs from his trees. You have many beautiful memories to sustain you, Karen, and perhaps we will meet again soon. Blessings to you and your family. Terry Morr
My sincere condolences to the family on the passing of Mr. Xenofondos. My dad was one of several regular customers who gathered early each morning for coffee and conversation. For several years he also assisted part-time with helping to maintain the restaurant. It was a sad day when Pete’s Galley closed, but my family had many fond memories of that place, Pete and having the privilege of meeting some of the family. Praying that the Lord will draw you close to Him at this time. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4).