Vasilios "Billy" Gatsoulis

Vasilios "Billy" Gatsoulis, age 70, passed away on December 15, 2024, in Florida. Born in Krimini, Greece on August 22, 1954, he was the son of Alexandros and Polyxeni (Liotopoulos) Gatsoulis. Billy was raised in beautiful Krimini until he was fifteen, when he moved with his family to the United States, landing in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. 

Once he was settled into his new home, Billy earned his GED at the English Language School in Boston before beginning his lifelong career as a carpenter. His cousin Aggie, who owned a carpentry shop in Milton, Massachusetts, graciously took young Billy under his wing as an apprentice and taught him the trade. Billy was an adept learner, and he enjoyed his work. There was a demand for talented carpenters and as such, Billy often worked long hours during the week at his job, as well as picking up side work for family and friends on the weekends. He worked for a variety of construction companies over the years including Elias Construction based in Milton, as well as Lambrian Construction based in Dedham and Canton. In 2014, Billy retired from Lambrian after more than 20 years of dedicated employment. 

In September of 1975, Billy suffered an injury which led to the amputation of one of his fingers. He didn't let that slow his work down but still felt some lingering pain that needed to be addressed. The evening before a follow up surgery was scheduled, Billy went out to Dutton's in Quincy with friends for drinks and to enjoy the music. While there, he was introduced to Donna Walsh, a local nurse. The pair enjoyed an evening of laughter and dancing and when the night ended, Billy invited Donna to visit him at the hospital the next day. Billy was thrilled and honored when Donna came to check on him, eventually asking her out for a coffee date at the local Dunkin Donuts in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston. A week later they had their first official date. 

Billy married the love of his life, Donna Walsh, on October 14, 1979, in the Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Boston, Massachusetts. The young couple initially made their married home Milton but also lived in a variety of places in the greater Boston area such as Randolph, before settling into their home in Roslindale in 1989. In 2013, Billy and Donna left the city and moved to the suburbs of Taunton, Massachusetts. After his retirement, Billy was diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy, which causes progressive muscle loss and stiffness that is greatly exacerbated by the cold climate. To help combat the disease, the pair packed their bags and moved to warm and sunny Florida in 2016, first living in Punta Gorda and then making their home in Coconut Creek.

In his free time, Billy enjoyed keeping busy. He insisted on remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms of every home he lived in, using his carpentry skills to create a beautiful and comfortable home. He was also an avid bowler, always working toward a perfect 300. Billy loved to fish and relax on the water, hoping for a bite. Sunday afternoons were for watching movies with his wife, who patiently endured the Greek language only films that he adored. Billy was often found at the Roslindale Dunkin Donuts, one of his favorite spots. In his later years, Billy and Donna enjoyed a little bit of Boston down in Florida, looking forward to Red Sox games and spring training. The pair also took to traveling, taking cruises around the Mediterranean and down the Mexican Riveria, as well as to Israel.

Most important though, was his family and friends. Billy and Donna traveled to Greece each summer to spend time in Krimini, enjoying the comfort of his home country, his family, and reconnecting with old friends like George and Antigoni Bagis. At home in the states, Billy enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. New Years, which also happened to be his Name Day, and Orthodox Easter were always spent up in New Hampshire with his dear friends Bobby and Paula Meidanis, who he had been friends with since he moved to Boston as a young teen. Billy and Donna never had children of their own, but Billy was an important father figure for his nieces on Donna's side. He loved the kids as if they were his own, proud to be a part of their lives, and thrilled to later to be given the title of "Pappous" (Greek for "Grandfather") to their children. Donna had always thought she was the love of Billy's life, but quickly learned that may not be the case once McKenna and Maddie were born. His life revolved around the little ones, lighting up with joy every time he saw their faces. 

Beloved husband of Donna (Walsh) Gatsoulis

Devoted father figure to Kate Azab and her husband Nader of Long Island, New York, Sachii Bourque and her wife Nyeshia, and her children Nyreil and Aniyah, of Cape Coral, Florida, and Kheldhe Bourque of Norton

Adoring Pappou of McKenna and Maddie

Loving brother of Christos Gatsoulis and his late wife Barbara, and Alikki "Lisa" Tsigos; and brother-in-law of the late Susan Walsh-Bourque

Cherished uncle of Stacey Tsigos and Jenny Tsigos; and great uncle to Billy, Landon, and Bentley

Also survived by many extended relatives and friends including Paula and Bobby Meidanis of Danville, New Hampshire, Linda Wareham of Everett and Nick Skourtis of West Roxbury.

Donna would like to thank and acknowledge the love and support that she and Billy received from their loving family during this challenging time.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Billy Life Celebration on Monday, January 20, 2024, from 12:00 - 3:30 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A funeral home service will follow at 3:30 pm. 

Interment will take place privately at New Calvary Cemetery in Boston, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Billy's name may be made to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation at 663 13th Street, Suite 100, Oakland, CA 94612 or by visiting https://www.myotonic.org/ and selecting ‘Donate’