Seymour Mourns The Loss Of Peter Klarides, 88

SEYMOUR — The Valley has lost a true icon.

Peter Klarides, the father of Valley lawmakers Themis Klarides and Nicole Klarides-Ditria, passed away on Saturday at the age of 88.

Klarides was the owner of Klarides Supermarket, the former Valley supermarket chain with his late brothers, Jimmy and Teddy, with locations in Seymour and Derby. Married to his wife Theodora of 63 years, 
Klarides bore the proud title as Seymour’s no. 1 sports fan and devoted more than 70 years of his life to all things Wildcats.

A 1950 graduate of Seymour High School, Klarides bled ​“blue and gold,” according to Themis Klarides. He never missed any of his daughter’s tennis matches or school activities. He lived by the school motto, ​“Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat.” 

He refereed basketball for 40 years, and was a regular fixture on the sidelines during his beloved grandson Cade Klarides-Ditria’s football games, even when sidelined with an illness that slowly weakened him over the last few years, according to Themis Klarides.

“He continued fighting because as he always said ​‘You are a Klarides, you always fight and never give up,” she said. ​“I guess that’s where I got my fight from. He was a loving generous man who cared about one thing — his family.”

Both Themis and Nicole said their parents instilled in them the importance of giving back to the community. The Klarides’ sisters have carried on that tradition through their many years of local and public service to their hometown of Seymour, the Valley and the state. 

Most recently, the two have been leading the ​“Farmers to Family” drive-up food distribution events, where hundreds of Valley folks in need, struggling to make ends meet during the ongoing pandemic, can put food on their tables. 

Klarides hails from a family of hard-working Greek parents who immigrated here long ago in pursuit of the American Dream, according to Themis Klarides. They started a business which in turn was handed down to the Klarides brothers, who ran the iconic Valley supermarket for decades.

When he wasn’t at work, Klarides was watching or refereeing local sports. He was especially fond of SHS’ Lady Wildcat’s softball team. When he learned there was no money in the budget several years back to buy championship rings for the girls, Klarides stepped up with a major donation.

“Pete was a great supporter of Seymour High School softball,” said Head Coach Ken Pereiras. ​“He loved watching the girls play and we loved seeing him at games. We called him our #1 fan. I will miss him by the fence along third base.”

A major fan of the New York sports teams, — the Yankees, Knicks and Giants — Klarides regularly professed his love for baseball with fellow fans during weekly meetings of the Silver Sluggers at the Derby Public Library, led by local sports aficionado Rich Marazzi. 

“Pete loved people and sports,” Marazzi said. ​“He was an original Silver Slugger when we started in 2006. He missed very few sessions, and was very active at meetings providing interesting commentary. 
He was also very generous and would treat the group to several pizza parties over the years. He will be missed.”

Marazzi presented Klarides with a ​“Special Recognition” plaque back in 2015 for his generosity and commitment to the group, where he also received a citation from the state legislature.

Klarides never missed an opportunity to give back, donating funds to SHS in the 1980s to help establish a tennis team, to the football team after winning a state championship and never said no to nonprofits, the police, fire and ambulance groups when they needed a hand, according to his daughters.

Pete was a fixture at Wildcat anything,” said former longtime SHS Head Football Coach Paul ​“Spoony” Sponheimer, who coached from 1980 – 2008. ​“He was always there before the other team. As far as contributions, Pete and his family were the cornerstone of Seymour athletics. They didn’t ask what you needed, they asked what you wanted. They have always been there with their support. Pete is going to be sorely missed. And anyone who didn’t get the chance to know him and talk to him certainly missed out on Wildcat history.”

First Selectman Kurt Miller said Klarides leaves behind a lasting legacy.

“I’ve known Mr. Klarides my whole life,” said Miller. ​“We’ve had many long talks on sports, politics, business and family. I learned a lot from those conversations, things that I continue to use today. The thing that I always found incredible was his deep devotion to his family. He loved to talk about how proud he was of the accomplishments of his daughters and his grandson no matter the size. His eyes lit up when he talked about them. You could feel the love he had for them in every word.”

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 20) at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 80 Racebrook Rd., Orange. 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, masks and social distancing will be required of those who attend. A Funeral Mass in Celebration of Klarides’ life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday (Oct. 21) followed by interment in the family plot at Pine Grove Cemetery in Ansonia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Klarides’ memory may be made to Coco’s Animal Rescue of Seymour, the Seymour Wildcat Kickoff Club or the Seymour Lady Wildcat Diamond Club, all through the funeral home, Miller-Ward, which is handling arrangements. Click here for the website.