Born Haralambos Dimitrios Kollias on March 20, 1936 in Domvrena (or Korini, near Thebes), Greece to Dimitrios and Sophia Kollias. Harry is survived by his wife of 53 years, Linda Kollias, son, Bill Kollias, daughter, Sophia Kollias, son & daughter-in-law. Jim and Doris Kollias, and grandchildren, Harrison Kollias and Christina Kollias.

After his father's death in 1946, he went to work for Siakandaris dairy/bakery in Thebes at the age of 10. In 1955, Harry immigrated to the United States, initially working at the Ford Motor Co. assembly plant in Lorain, Ohio. In 1957 he came to California and soon-after became a co-owner of the Halfway House Cafe (so-named because it way half way betwen Los Angeles and San Diego) in San Clemente. In 1963 he married Linda Varis in Lorain, Ohio and brought his bride out to California to start their life together.

Harry co-owned the Halfway House Cafe for 15 years, from 1962 to 1977. In 1977 Harry Kollias bought and renamed a landmark restaurant in San Juan Capistrano that had been built in the 1930s and renamed it Harry's Family Restaurant. Tim Wilcox once wrote "there's only one institution in San Juan Capistrano that's been around longer than Harry's– The Mission itself." Harry's was known as "San Juan's Meeting Place" and hosted many of the meetings of San Juan's service organizations as well as being a popular dining destination for locals and tourists alike. Tim Bolen wrote "If you've missed one of Harry's Greek Nights, you're missing out on one of San Juan's incredible happenings." He made many improvements to modernize and rejuvenate the building; his efforts earned him a Community Pride Award 1991 from the City of San Juan Capistrano.

Susan Gill Vardon of the Orange County Register wrote in 2004 that Harry Kollias is "a burly man with a barrel chest and an old world and almost religious zeal for hard work and good food." Harry was always active in supporting local events, sponsoring youth sports teams, and local school events. He was an active volunteer for AYSO coaching his sons' teams. In 2004 Harry was recognized by the City of San Juan Capistrano for his "27 years as a business owner...his contributions and dedication to the community, and for making the city a better place to live and work." In 2004, he retired and sold Harry's to Ricardo Beas after 27 years in business. His parting advice to Ricardo was indicative of his simple outlook on life: "give good food to the people and they will line up outside."

Harry Kollias was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian. With Steve Bonn and John Kitsianis, he co-founded Saint Paul's Greek Orthodox Church community of Irvine in 1976. Harry later helped in the formation of Saint Basil's Greek Orthodox community in San Juan Capistrano. In his later years, Harry enjoyed traveling with his wife Linda and doting after his children and grandchildren and of course cooking for all of them. He continued to donate his time freely to his grandchildren's schools and his church. He especially loved visiting the Saint Anthony Monastery in Arizona in his retirement.

Harry died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 after a decade of fighting cancer. Friends and family are invited to attend the Trisagion at 7:00pm on Friday, November 4, 2016 and Funeral service at 10:30am Saturday, November 5 at Saint Paul's Greek Orthodox Church, 4949 Alton Parkway, Irvine. Interment to follow at EL Toro Memorial Park, Lake Forest, CA.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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