Gabriel Couloubaritsis' Obituary
Gabriel Couloubaritsis fell asleep peacefully on April 19, 2026. A beloved father and grandfather joins his loving wife of 24 years, Anastasia, who passed away in 1989.
Gabriel was born on February 4, 1933, on the beautiful island of Cephalonia, Greece. He left his home at 16 years old to work with family in the Belgian Congo, where he operated a general store. In 1968, he moved to Memphis with his wife, Anna, his mother, Angeliki, and older son, George, where he owned several restaurants through the years, including Pearl’s (Union Planters Downtown) and The Courtyard (First Tennessee Operations Center). His family enjoyed being members of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and the many activities with the other Cephalonian families.
He was devoted to his family and humbly cared for each one by cooking their favorite food and teaching them special Greek recipes. One of his greatest joys was preparing Sunday meals for his family, a tradition that brought everyone together and created lasting memories.
He is survived by his sons, George Couloubaritsis and wife Laura, and Jerry Couloubaritsis and wife Julia, all of Memphis; his grandchildren, Maryanna Storino and husband Franco of Indianapolis, Gabriella Couloubaritsis of Nashville, Margaret Couloubaritsis of Plano, Texas, and Lee Couloubaritsis of Memphis; his sister, Kiriakoula Kolyvas of Athens, Greece.
He is also survived by his goddaughter, Enosis Touliatos, and her husband, Gabriel, his cousin and lifelong friend; his brother-in-law, Dennis Patrikios, and wife Odette of Memphis, and several nieces and nephews in America and Greece.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Angeliki Couloubaritsis; his beloved wife, Anastasia Couloubaritsis; and his older brother, Elias Collins.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to all of Gabriel’s caregivers for their compassion and care.
Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 573 N. Highland St., Memphis, TN 38122; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; or a charity of your choice.
The family will receive friends on Friday, April 24, 2026, from 10:00 AM until the funeral service at 11:00 AM at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119 (901) 767-8930.
“Where Memphis comes to remember, since 1924.”
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