John Priovolos

John Priovolos, 77, of Cranford, passed away suddenly at his residence on Wednesday May 25, 2016.
John's Life Celebration will be Friday (today) May 27th from 2-4 and 6-9PM at Gray Funeral Directors, 12 Springfield Ave., Cranford. His funeral service will begin at 9:30AM Saturday May 28, 2016 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Westfield. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Westfield. Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com, to view John's life tribute. Known as "Big John" he owned and operated the Downtown Family Restaurant and Diner in Cranford, formerly known as the Cranford Family Restaurant. John previously owned and operated other locations such as the Lido Diner, on US Hwy 22, Springfield, NJ, the Randolph Diner, Randolph, NJ, and the Glenwood Diner, Bloomfield, NJ. John was born in Melissa, Aigiou, Greece, where he had served in the Greek Army, and was an electrician. He came to America in 1966. Known as the "Soup King" John loved to cook, and to garden. He enjoyed horses, and raced them at area harness racing tracks such as the Meadowlands, Monmouth Park, and in Freehold. A very generous man, John is survived by his loving wife of more than 50 years, Irene, his loving daughter Christin "Tina" Priovolos and her husband: George Zouloufos and loving granddaughter Rena Zouloufos, dear sisters-in-law: Stella Priovolos, Georgia Kambolis, also brothers, and a sister in Greece. He is also survived by nephews: Bob Zaphiros (Argyroula), James Priovolos (Donna), John Priovolos, niece: Dina Colonias (Jim), local great nieces and nephews including; Melina Georgia Colonias, Nicholas, John, and Voula Zaphiros, Julia and Diana Priovolos, and others in Greece.