Mourning the loss of a cornerstone of our architectural community - Demetrios "Jimmy" Constantine Liollio, Founder of Liollio Architecture

Demetrios "Jimmy" Constantine Liollio, October 14 1922 - February 28 2015

Demetrios "Jimmy" Constantine Liollio, 92, of Charleston fell asleep in our Lord in the early hours of February 28 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Jimmy was born on the beautiful Greek Island of Skopelos on October 14 1922. He was the son of Constantine Demetrios Liollio and Andromache Sideris Liollio. His father came to the United States to realize the American Dream, and Jimmy followed at the young age of 16, joining his father, a restauranteur in Lake Village, Arkansas.

After completing high school in Greece and upon arriving in the United States, Jimmy enrolled at Hinds Junior College in Mississippi. He excelled at all athletic endeavors, but especially football and track. Soon thereafter, he joined the Jackson, Mississippi boxing program, where his boxing acumen and speed earned him the nickname "The Greek Whirlwind."

In 1942 with the onset of World War II, he joined the Army Air Force where he served as a turret gunner and navigator on the Attack Bombers A-20 and A-26. He was awarded numerous ribbons and honors which include 2 Bronze Service Stars, Good Conduct Medal, and the Air Medal. He was Honorably Discharged in 1945.

On August 28 1946, he met the love of his life, Miss Caliope S. Moraitakis of Atlanta, Georgia. They were married on December 21 1947, in Atlanta and recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. They have two wonderful children, Andrea Mache Larkin (Raymond) and C. Dinos Liollio (Cherie), five grandchildren; Melanie Shay Jager (Sean), Stephanie Dawn Smith (Ian) and Chryse Nye Jackson (Josh), Demetrios Alexandre Liollio and Zachary Paul Liollio; and 7 great grandchildren Michael and Gabriel Jager, Thomas and Andrea Mache Smith, and David, Cally and Alexandra Jackson.

Jimmy was a 1950 graduate from the School of Architecture at Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now known as Auburn University, earning a Bachelor of Architecture with an emphasis in Structures. In 1952, Jimmy and Cally came to Charleston, where Jimmy was employed by Augustine Constantine. In August 1956, he opened the doors to his own Charleston-based architectural practice, which still thrives today as Liollio Architecture. Notable projects for which Jimmy was involved include the Blessed Sacrament Church, Bank in the Oaks on James Island, and the Folly Beach Ocean Plaza. Jimmy was inspired by the many clients and colleagues he enjoyed and mentored through the years.

He was a member of numerous professional and civic organizations, including past president of the West Ashley Sertoma Club and The Charleston Chapter Construction Specification Institute. He was very active in the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church having served on its Parish Council for a number of years. In 2006, he retired after 50 years to focus on his beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren and his hobbies that included gardening, sailing and fishing.

As a husband and father, he was a rock, always decisive, loving and compassionate, with a heart that knew no boundaries. As a grandfather and great grandfather, he was the best friend that we would ever know – always a teacher, provider and mentor. His smile was infectious, and laughter contagious. No amount of awareness ever prepares a family of the magnitude of loss his passing will create and the huge void that will result. We mourn his loss, but celebrate his memory and the many lives he touched.

The Liollio family wishes to express eternal gratitude to their father’s dedicated caretakers, Josephine, Deidre and Charlene, and Hospice of Charleston, with heartfelt thanks to Cynthia, Katie and EJ. We will always be grateful.

Memorial donations may be made to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity at 30 Race Street, Charleston, SC 29403 and Hospice of Charleston, 4975 LaCross Road, Ste 200, North Charleston, SC, 29406.

Jimmy was pre-deceased by two brothers and a sister.