John Solomon

John Solomon—beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather to the family’s dogs, and a cherished pillar of St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church—passed away tragically on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the age of 90. He was born on March 26, 1935, in Vatili, Famagusta, Cyprus, to Chrystalla and Ioannis Solomou, the eldest of seven children, and from his earliest days carried a life shaped by perseverance and faith.

Born breech and then having survived a grave illness at the age of three, John’s life turned toward devotion from its beginning. His grandmother, Solomina, carried him in a horse-drawn carriage forty-five kilometers from their village to the Chrysosotiros Church—the Church of the Savior—in Akanthou, Cyprus, and there she dedicated his life to God, praying for him to survive. The church was known for its ayiasma, a spring of holy water. From that moment forward, faith was not simply something John believed—it was something he lived, offering his hands, his heart, and his time in service to others. He had a zest for life and approached each day with a smile.

With the help of his uncle, Harry Solomon, John attended the American Academy in Cyprus, studying there until the age of fourteen. Soon after, guided again by his uncle’s support and a quiet determination for something more, he immigrated to the United States. There, he attended vocational school, learning typesetting — what he thought would be a practical skill.

In the 1950s, John joined the United States Army Reserve, rising to the rank of Sergeant prior to his honorable discharge in 1964. It was during his service, in the steady rhythm of military kitchens and shared meals, that he discovered a calling that would shape the rest of his life. There, he built a life rooted in hard work, finding in cooking both his language of love and his way of bringing people together. He was happiest feeding others, both human and animals alike.

In 1959, during a visit back to Cyprus, John met Maria (nee Theocharis), the woman who would become his life’s companion. They were soon engaged, and John returned to the United States to prepare for their future. On October 29, 1961, they were married, beginning a devoted partnership that would span over six decades—one built on providing for their daughters.

John began his restaurant career under the guidance of his Uncle Harry at the Haddington Restaurant and, in 1966, alongside his dear friend Anastasios (Tassos) Bekiaris, opened the Arrow Restaurant. From its founding to its closing, John ran the Arrow with pride and purpose, touching the lives of both employees and patrons alike. John brought more of his family from Cyprus, and following Tassos’s passing, his brothers joined him as partners in the restaurant. John helped fundraise in connection with several churches’ festivals. Closest to his heart were the five decades he cooked for St. Luke’s Greek Affair.

Yet John’s service extended far beyond the kitchen. He served his church faithfully as president and vice president and led with equal commitment as president of both the Cyprus Brotherhood and AHEPA. His generosity, leadership, and tireless volunteerism left an enduring imprint on St. Luke and the wider community it serves.

John was a man of deep faith, strong opinion, unwavering work ethic, and boundless kindness. He was a man of two countries – America and Cyprus and loved both equally. He believed America was the greatest and that Cyprus belonged to both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. John was a natural storyteller who delighted in sharing memories of the past, especially with his nieces, nephews, and the broader Cypriot community on Facebook.

He credited his long life to daily walks shared with the family dogs. With a warm smile and an open heart, John encouraged taking turmeric and advocated for prostate cancer awareness, always urging others to care for their health. John’s green thumb was well-known and evident in the beauty of his flowers and tastiness of his vegetables. He loved sharing what he grew with family and neighbors.

John is survived by his loving wife, Maria; his daughters, Joanne Solomon and Christine Knopf (Bill Knopf); and their beloved dogs, Rex and Teddy. He is also survived by his brother, Demos, and sisters Dorothy Apostolides (Chris) and Maroulla Tofi (Chrystodoulos) and godchildren (Christos Bekiaris, Elaine Christie, Yiannoula Neoptolemou and Maria Solomon). He was preceded in death by his parents, Chrystalla and Ioannis, and siblings Kyriakou Hadjiyerou, Myroulla Skordi, and Christaki Solomou.

Services will be held on Saturday January 31, 2026 at St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church, 35 N. Malin Rd., Broomall, PA 19008, with a visitation from 10-11am and his funeral service beginning at 11am.  Interment to follow in Edgewood Memorial Park, 325 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church https://www.st-luke.org/ or a place of worship aligned with your beliefs.

May his memory be eternal. His life endures in the people he fed, the church he served and the family he loved.

Per the family's request there will be no driving procession from the church to the cemetery.  You are invited to drive to the cemetery on your own and meet us inside the front gate.  This is something the family feels strongly about. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.  

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