The History of AHEPA

In Memoriam: Peter Zeppos

After a lifetime serving others, Panagiotis (Peter) D. Zeppos, 92, of Wyomissing, was called home to God’s eternal table on February 13, 2025. He shared a beautiful life with his wife, Maria P. (Houhouli) Zeppos, as a loving and devoted husband for over 66 years.

Known as “The Boss” to his closest family, Peter spent his entire life taking care of the people he loved and filling their plates with exceptional food. Anyone lucky enough to have had his Pastitsio would rate it worthy of a Michelin Star. He was a legend to all who knew him with the strength of an ox, the heart of a teddy bear, and an undeniable sense of humor.

Born on January 7th, 1933 in Vlahokerasia, Arcadias, Greece, to the late Demosthenes and Magdalene Zeppos, Peter’s unwavering hard work and sacrifice started at just 13 years old, when he left home for Athens to attend school and work with his uncle in leather goods production.

At 17, he came to America, where he worked at the Crystal Restaurant for two years before joining the US Army and returning to his station in Germany. While deployed, he attended culinary school and learned to cook. He prepared meals for hundreds of soldiers in one sitting, an approach he has continued to take when cooking for family gatherings.

In 1955, Peter earned his US citizenship, settling back in Reading, PA to work at the Chat a While Inn. Shortly after, the Zeppos family restaurant legacy began with the purchase of the Eat Well Restaurant on 9th St. in Lebanon. In 1962, he purchased the Eat Well Diner on East Cumberland St., which quickly became a local staple for almost four decades. As its head chef and also co-owner of the Hitching Post Restaurant in West Lawn, the only days you wouldn’t find Peter at work were Christmas and New Year’s Day, when he still had a spatula in hand, cooking for loved ones at their home on Chestnut St. He took his only vacation back to Greece in 1958 to marry the love of his life, Maria. After retiring in 2000, the two moved to Wyomissing to be closer to their family.

Very proud of his Greek heritage, Peter was an active member of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, the Order of AHEPA and a familiar face in the kitchen during the annual Greek Food Bazaar. To Peter, family was the center of his entire world. His home was the gathering place for every holiday and special occasion, and no one who stopped by would ever leave hungry. If you did make a surprise visit, you would likely find him out back doing yard work or tending his flourishing garden. He loved visiting his childhood home in Greece, heading to the Jersey Shore with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, and attending as many of their sports and activities as he could.

In addition to his wife, Peter is survived by his daughter, Toula (Zeppos) Miller, wife of Eric J, Wyomissing, and son, Vasilios Zeppos, husband of Katerina, Lititz; grandchildren, Eric Peter (wife Danielle), Nicolette, Andrew, Maria, and Peter; great-grandchildren, Sloane and Miles; and siblings, Gust and Alex Zeppos. His siblings, John, Taso, Georgos, Georgia, Martha, and George, predeceased him. Many nieces and nephews also survive Peter.

Services will be held Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 1001 E Wyomissing Blvd., Wyomissing, PA 19611 with burial to follow at Charles Evans Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 8:30-10 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church at the address above. Henninger Funeral Home in Reading is in charge of arrangements. www.henningerfuneralhome.com