Oldest Greek-American in Marion, US Celebrates 95th Birthday
The oldest Greek-American in Marion, Ohio, US, who arrived there during the 1950s, will celebrate her 95th birthday at the end of June.
Helen Bomas arrived in Marion around 70 years ago at a time when the city had an animated and closely-connected Greek-American community.
Despite being born in Ohio, Bomas’ childhood years were marked by lots of travel. Her father and uncles had made the trip to the US to start new lives, but her mother missed her homeland and returned to Greece with Bomas, who, at that time, was two years old, and her brother, Spiro.
In the treacherous years of World War II, Bomas lived through both the good and the bad in Greece. According to the Marion Star, the 95-year-old “fondly remembers the Italian soldiers lifting her and her friends to pick figs and pomegranates from the trees, but she also witnessed the harsh realities of war, including the execution of Greeks who had befriended the Germans.”
Oldest Greek-American’s life in US
Once the war had ended, Bomas’ father was keen for her to return to the US. Her brother, Spiro, had already made the trip, and at the age of 17, Bomas, heartbroken at leaving her mother behind, traveled alone to Ellis Island, as per The Marion Star.
Bomas’ father welcomed her to Marion, where he owned and operated the state theater and resided at the Hotel Harding. He was reportedly good friends with the hotel chef, Leon Bomas, who was also a Greek-American. The chef had a son called Steve, who was introduced to Helen, and the pair eventually married, spending six years together.
Following Steve’s passing, Helen has lived on her own. She receives care from four women and a nurse who check on her frequently, according to The Marion Star.
Bomas has two children, Leon and Harriet, who make sure their mother lives happily. Her pet Maltese, Niko, is reportedly her best friend and companion and keeps her singing and smiling every day, as per The Marion Star.
Greek emigration to the US
The first Greeks arrived in the US in 1820, but large-scale migration of Greeks to the US began in 1880. This was largely due to domestic issues that arose when Greece won independence from the Ottoman Empire. Although Greece had won its independence, the country’s economy had collapsed. Many Greeks emigrated to find jobs or start new lives with their families.
What encouraged migration was the Greek government’s understanding that the country was unable to provide for all its inhabitants. The US was the beacon for most Greek immigrants because of its growing economy and general openness towards new immigrants.
During the first two decades of the 20th century, more than 350,000 Greeks made the trip to the US. Around 95 percent of those who migrated between 1900 and 1910 were male.
Business Wire
No comments