Mr. Peter S. Vlisides

MONONA-Peter Steven Vlisides, born May 28, 1945, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Monona on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011. He was one of the kindest people in this world and the loss of his life will be felt by the many people he helped and guided. Peter was a teacher, a friend, a husband, a father, a brother, an uncle and held all these roles with grace and love. He was married to Mary Leannah Vlisides on June 22, 1985. He and Mary could often be seen tearing up the dance floor at any event -- each with their own special dance moves. They also loved swimming, watching movies, going on trips and being outdoors together. Peter grew up in the \"Detroit City\" and graduated from the University of Michigan where he earned his bachelor\'s and master\'s degree. His schooling --including an ABD in history from UW-Madison -- took him many places including California and Wisconsin, where he stayed and resided in the Madison area. He started a business, The Madison Restaurant Tour and Wisconsin Ski Association Inc. in 1976, with his dear friend and business partner Russell Bacchi. It was the original \"certificate\" business. Peter was a teacher at Madison Area Technical College for 28 years. He developed the Recreation Management Program, where he taught and graduated more than 700 students before his retirement in 2009. He was also a big supporter and fundraiser of the Madison College Foundation, which provided scholarships for students. He was a member of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. He directed the \"West Fest\" Community Festival from 1990-93. He also earned his real estate license and was the manager of several properties. He was an active supporter of his children\'s activities including coaching both his son\'s and daughter\'s basketball teams for several years. He passed down his love for recreation to his children by helping them set up events for the neighborhood, like the annual pie eating contest, and a four-hole golf course in the back yard. Peter was preceded in death by his father, Steven Vlisides; mother, Victoria (Baker) Vlisides; and older brother, Elias \"Lee\" Vlisides. Peter is survived by his two children, who were his pride and joy, Alex and Victoria; and wife, Mary. He is further survived by brothers, Nicholas (Rebecca) Vlisides and William (Cindy) Vlisides; sister, Angelynn (Chris) Rafaill; sisters-in-law, Becky Vlisides and Ann (Jim) Vandenhouten; he will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and former students. A Funeral Mass will be held at ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 11 N. 7th St., Madison, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011, with a Trisagion service at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Madison College Foundation, 3550 Anderson Street, Madison, WI 53704, or American Cancer Society, 8317 Elderberry Road, Madison, WI 53717. Cemetery: Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Madison College Foundation, 3550 Anderson Street, Madison, WI 53704, or American Cancer Society, 8317 Elderberry Road, Madison, WI 53717. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011, with a Trisagion service at 7:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 11 N. 7th St., Madison, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011.