Maria Bouloukos

Maria Bouloukos, age 91, of McCaysville, Georgia, passed away on Saturday May 9th. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of over 66 years, Dino Bouloukos; her mother, Stella Xiriches; and her father, Pete Xiriches, both of Copperhill, Tennessee. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Jenny Gaitanoglou, and brother-in-law, Takis.

She is survived by her sons, Vassilli “Bill” Bouloukos (Lisa) and Pete Bouloukos (Anastasia); grandchildren Maria Bouloukos and Alex Bouloukos; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members, many of whom still reside in Greece.

Maria was born on December 5, 1934, on the island of Oinousses, Greece. She was the eldest of two daughters and the oldest among many cousins on the island during the hardships of World War II. During the Italian and German occupation, and later through the Greek Civil War, Maria helped guide and protect her family as they relocated to safer areas, including Cyprus, while their fathers served at sea assisting the Allied forces as merchant mariners.

After nearly ten years of separation, her father, Pete Xiriches, reunited the family and immigrated to the United States. In 1952, he purchased the New York Hotel and Café in Copperhill, Tennessee, where the family settled.

Maria was only 18 years old when she arrived in America and spoke no English. Unable to attend school, she learned the language through determination and with help from her younger sister, who adapted more quickly. After working for several years at the New York Hotel & Cafe, she met her future husband, Dino. While serving in the Army, Dino had been encouraged by relatives in Greece to stop in Copperhill on his way to Fort Benning to meet “a wonderful Greek girl.” They met in 1954, exchanged letters while apart, married in Copperhill in 1957, and soon afterward moved to New York to help build Dino’s businesses.

Their sons, Vassilli and Pete, were born in New York, where the family business prospered. Following the death of her father, and with the help of her sister Jenny and Takis, the family returned to the Copper Basin area after deciding New York City was not the ideal place to raise children during the 1970s.

Maria and Dino operated the historic New York Hotel and later owned Dino’s Tavern. Their businesses thrived for decades before being sold in 2010. Maria was a proud mother, devoted Yiayia (grandmother), and lifelong member of the Greek Orthodox Church.

She deeply loved the Copper Basin community and appreciated the peaceful lifestyle and warm acceptance her family found there. Maria was known for her generosity and kindness, often helping those less fortunate. What she cherished most were Sundays, when the businesses were closed and the entire Greek family and friends gathered around the dining room table to share meals, stories, laughter, and Greek music late into the evening.

Maria was an entertainer at heart, an exceptional cook, and someone who truly loved America while never forgetting her Greek roots.

Visitation and funeral services will be held at Cochran McDaniel Funeral Home, 1478 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge, Georgia 30513, on May 14, 2026 at 11AM. Burial will immediately follow at Cooper Ridge Memorial Gardens. A Makaria (Mercy Meal) will proceed. We will announce at the services.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses at Diversicare of Ducktown, Tennessee, as well as Amedisys Hospice, for the compassionate care they provided to “Mama Maria,” as they affectionately called her. The staff lovingly embraced the lively atmosphere of Maria’s room, where Greek television often played loudly through her satellite dish as she laughed and enjoyed her favorite programs until the very end.

Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Maria Bouloukos.  Sign the guest register and send condolences online at www.cochranmcdaniel.com