Kosmas Pereklis Skembos, 93, passed away on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Born in Polykerasou, Kastoria, Greece/Macedonia on February 22, 1931, in a small village called Cheresnitsa to the late Pereklis and Sultana Skembos.
In his youth, he took care of fields, livestock, his younger brother, ill father and his mother with such strength and endurance. He survived a war-torn life against numerous enemies continually attacking in and around his village. He was taken at the tender age of 16 and was forced to be a soldier like so many of his friends and relatives. They fought against these Enemies and against starvation.
At the age of 19, he came to the United States on March 24, 1951. He learned English and became a US Citizen. He proudly displayed his United States Flag and wore a United States Flag on his lapel.
He met his "Agape" his love, Milka, at a Macedonian Convention. He learned how to speak and write Macedonian to communicate with her and married her November 20, 1955. After 66 years he lost the love of his life, he faithfully sat at her side never leaving until her last breath.
He initially worked in his uncle's restaurant as a busboy, moving on to a become a baker and retiring after 40 years from Holseum Bakery. He was a master gardener growing grapes, peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
His passion was music. He started the first Macedonian Band in Fort Wayne playing drums, trumpet, and finally his love the saxophone. He loved writing love songs for Milka. He would always bring his saxophone out at family gatherings and play so that we could all dance in the family room. No one could beat Milka and Kuzo dancing at the Ball or Weddings. They had so much energy that no one, and I mean no one, could keep up with them. Kuzo loved the Jitterbug swinging his wife around, then his daughters and especially his granddaughters. He was very proud of his grandsons and their passion for music as well.
He will be remembered by his grandchildren with their clapping competitions, and his great grandchildren with his fake dog barking antics.
He was proud of his heritage, his culture, and his Orthodox religion. As an author he wrote his memoirs to capture it all in his book I Left the Village to Come to America. Kuzo crossed himself every night before going to bed. His famous words, "God first in my Life".
He was preceded in death by his wife Milka, parents Sultana and Pereklis, and brother Nicholas. He is survived by his daughter Olga (Gerald) Roszkowski, son Vasil (Susan) Skembos, and daughter Nancy Black Hildebrand. Grand Children John (Rachel) Roszkowski, Lindsey (Eric) Green, Christie (Tyler) Kleinschmidt, Paige (Garrett) Sutton, Billy, Stephanie (Mark), Thomas Skembos, Michael, Claire, Jessica (Toby) Black, and Dirk Hildebrand. Great grandchildren, Laiken, Addy, Isla Millie Green, Ryker Kosmas, Esther Roszkowski and Levi Black.
Funeral service is at 11 am, Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at St Nicholas Cathedral, 3535 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne, IN with visitation one hour prior. Visitation also at St. Nicholas, Monday, March 11, from 3-5 pm and 6-8 pm with entry prayers at 1:45 pm and a Trisagion prayer at 7:30 pm. The burial will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 6750 Covington Road. Preferred memorials in Kosmas' honor may be made to St. Nicholas Eastern Orthodox Cathedral. FairHaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services is handling arrangements.