Elias S. Merkouriou, 72, of Windsor, beloved husband for 44 years to Anastasia (Tsanias) Merkouriou, died, Friday, July 1, 2011 at Hartford Hospital. He was born in Rhodes, Greece, son of the late Savvas and Athina (Milios) Merkouriou before immigrating to the U.S. in 1966. He was the owner and operator of Chef's Hat Pizza of Meriden prior to his retirement. He had previously owned the former Campus Pizza of Hartford. Elias was a graduate of Rhodes Teachers College and taught in Greece before coming to the U.S.. He was a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Besides his wife he is survived by a daughter, Tina Skelly and her husband Jon of the Philippines, two beloved granddaughters, Alessandra and Daniela Skelly, a sister, Kathy Kritharides of Australia, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter, Desi Merkouriou, his parents and four brothers, Peter, Michael, Plasteras and George Merkouriou. The funeral will be Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 433 Fairfield Ave. Hartford. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Wednesday prior to the funeral, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at The Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke. Wethersfield. Contributions in his memory may be made to: St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 433 Fairfield Ave. Hartford, CT 06114 or The American Cancer Society, 828 Brook St. I-91 Tech Ctr. Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3045. To share a memory with the family, please visit, www.dillonbaxter.com