Our History
Mr. Aristides (Aris) Demetriou
Founder of Lampousa (1910–2010)
One of Lampousa's esteemed founding fathers, Mr. Aristides (Aris) Demetriou, was born on November 8, 1910, in our beloved Karavas, on the island of Cyprus. His lifelong dedication to hard work began early: by the age of ten, he assisted his father—a village barber—by giving haircuts and shaves to his elementary school teachers. At fifteen, after receiving his own shop from his father, he officially began a barbering career that would eventually take him from Karavas to New York City and span more than 85 years.
In pursuit of new opportunities, Mr. Demetriou immigrated to the United States and arrived in New York through Ellis Island on February 18, 1930, at the height of the Great Depression. He established his first Manhattan barbershop on Amsterdam Avenue and 67th Street, where he worked for three years before relocating to Amsterdam Avenue and 120th Street—directly across from Columbia University. He remained a beloved fixture of the Morningside Heights community for the next 73 years.
During the 1940s, Mr. Demetriou distinguished himself in numerous hairdressing competitions and exhibitions, proudly displaying the medals and trophies he earned. Over the decades, he became a well-known figure within the Columbia University community, appearing frequently in the university's newspaper, The Spectator, and earning the fond respect of generations of students and faculty.
Mr. Demetriou's work ethic was extraordinary. Well into his later years, he maintained a demanding schedule, commuting from his home in New Jersey and opening his shop by 7:00 a.m., five days a week. During a visit in February 2006, at the age of 95, he effortlessly demonstrated his enduring skill—providing four haircuts to Columbia students within an hour, stepping out to feed the parking meter, and sharing vivid recollections of the neighborhood dating back to the 1930s.
On March 30, 2006, after an astonishing 76-year career in New York—and nearly a lifetime in the profession overall—Mr. Demetriou officially retired and sold his shop. Given that his career began at age ten in Karavas, he may well have been one of the world's oldest and longest-serving barbers at the time of his retirement, a distinction worthy of recognition in the Guinness World Records.
Community Contributions
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Demetriou made lasting contributions to the Greek Cypriot community in America. He was a founder of the Cyprus Federation of America in 1951 and played an important role in establishing St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tenafly, New Jersey, in 1968.
In 1937, Aris founded Lampousa, and his leadership, devotion, and community spirit have guided our organization ever since. Throughout the years, Aris and his wife, Maroulla, were dedicated participants in Lampousa events and in the broader Greek Omogenia. He served as President of Lampousa twice, for a total of 16 years, and remained actively involved in meetings and celebrations well into his retirement.
A large celebration on November 7, 2010, honored Aris's 100th birthday. He passed away peacefully on November 27, 2010. His legacy, leadership, and unwavering commitment to our community continue to inspire us. He is fondly remembered and deeply missed.