Tg Harisis

TG "Vic" Harisis Obituary

TG "Vic" Harisis (CEO | CHAIRMAN | FOUNDER of WESTESCO – Western Tire Equipment and Supply Co Inc.,), 92, of Beverly Hills, California, passed away peacefully in his sleep, Monday, November 21, 2022, surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, December 2, at Saint John's Greek Orthodox Church, 405 N Dale Ave, Anaheim California 92801, where Father Chris Retelas will be officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Covina Hills, California at noon.

"Vic" was born Triantaffilos Gust (TG) Harisis on Aug 28, 1930, in Barberton, Ohio. His Parents, Gust and Malamatini Harisis immigrated to Barberton, Ohio from Greece establishing his Greek heritage here in the USA. He had one brother (Harry Harisis -deceased) and one sister (Anastasia Deralas - also deceased).

As a young child, the foundation for Vic's entrepreneurial spirit was laid. Vic sold newspapers off the bumper of a Model T Ford at the age of four, shined shoes at the age of six and worked in his father's novelty and hat cleaning store. Immediately following his graduation from High School, Vic enlisted in the United States Air Force and served four years as a radar systems technologist. There he gained the discipline required to accomplish and embark on his remaining life's journey.

After his service in the Army, he followed through on his desire to further his education. He attended Kent State University in Kent, OH. While there, the entrepreneurial spirit struck again when he established a painting business, painting many professor's homes. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and was only three classes short of receiving his Masters.

Upon graduation from college, Vic entered the tire equipment and supply business which became his lifelong endeavor. He established WESTESCO in 1974 and worked every day right up until his death to build a company that ultimately rendered 85 million dollars in annual sales.

Outside of WESTESCO, Vic loved sports, traveled to numerous Super Bowl games and when he couldn't attend in person, would travel to Las Vegas to enjoy the sports action there. Vic was a great benefactor to the Greek Orthodox Church and Kent State University, which both

benefitted from his contributions. He was also a mentor to many people within the industry. Vic left a very solid impression on all that met him, and he will be greatly missed.

He is survived locally by his three nephews: Peter Deralas (Fatana Deralas), of Chino Hills, CA, Dean Deralas of Long Beach, CA, Chris Deralas of Chino Hills, CA and a grandnephew and niece, Brandon and Zoe Deralas. He is also survived by family out of state, nephew Dean Harisis of New Smyrna Beach, FL, and niece, Mala Harisis Barnes of Charleston, SC and their families. Additionally he is survived by many relatives in Greece and abroad. May his memory be everlasting!