On Sunday morning, July 12, the Greek Australian community lost Sotirios (Stan) Halkeas, who passed away aged 91.
Originally from the small island of Sikinos in Greece, he came as a migrant to Australia and founded Halkeas Printing, a highly successful printing store originally based in Taylor Square. Â At its height, the company employed more than 50 staff members.
For many years, Halkeas did majority of the printing for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and for Greek Orthodox Churches in Sydney as a way to support Greeks in the community.
“Sotiris Halkeas was a beautiful soul that gave of his time generously for all people and helped many of our Greek Orthodox churches in ways that we are all indebted,” his nephew said in a post on Facebook.
Halkeas was highly respected by Greek community members, along with former Prime Ministers and State Premiers.
“He lived for the next idea, the next deal, the next fishing trip. Above all he was fiercely proud of his wife, daughters, son-in-law and granddaughters,” his nephew said.