James Basis

James "Jimmy" Basis, a longtime Petersburg businessman and restaurateur, died on January 22, 2012 at the age of 74. He was born in Mikro Horio, Greece and settled in Petersburg in 1959. Throughout his life, Basis owned and operated a number of small successful businesses and restaurants in the tri-cities area, the last landmark of which still stands, Jimmy's Grille, which opened its doors in 1971. He was dedicated to his local community and generous to his church and the greater Greek community. He was a lifelong member of St. Elpis Greek Orthodox Church and the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association in Hopewell, both of which he served many non-consecutive terms as President. Basis was also a devout member of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Richmond and the Evrytanian Association of America, which assists Greek citizens living in the province of Evrytania, Greece. Above all else, Basis was a devoted family man and is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Frances H. Basis; daughter, Stacy Basis Pappas and her husband, Matthew R. Pappas; daughter, Sandy Basis Holleman and her husband, W. Todd Holleman; granddaughters, Frances Evelyn Pappas, Evelyn Wallis Holleman and Ruth Willliams Holleman; and a "special" brother-in-law, Odysseas Housianitis. He is also survived by three sisters, Fotini Zogratos, Vasiliki Zese and Chrysoula Armakas; and several nieces and nephews, all still residing in Greece. He was preceded in death by his parents Demosthenis and Alexandra Yousbasis. A Trisagion prayer service will be held at 6:00 p.m. with visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at the Petersburg Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 3935 S. Crater Road. The funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 26, 2012 in St. Elpis Greek Orthodox Church, 107 Memorial Drive, Hopewell, Virginia 23860 with the Rev. Father Jon Emanuelson and the Rev. Father Nicholas Bacalis officiating. Interment will follow in Appomattox Cemetery, Hopewell, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to St. Elpis Greek Orthodox Church- Church Beautification Fund, PO Box 1204, Hopewell, Virginia 23860 or Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral- Building Fund, 30 Malvern Ave. Richmond, Virginia 23221.