Speros G. Drelles

Speros George Drelles., "Doc," age 93 and long time Pittsburgh resident, passed away at home on January 21, 2022.  Beloved husband of Marie (Diamond) Drelles; loving father of William of Cleveland, Robert (Joan) of Boston, and Thomas (Loretta) of New York City and his youngest son Todd Edward who preceded him in death. Speros was the especially proud “Papou” to Nathan, Annie, Natalie, and Willy (previously deceased). He leaves behind his brother, Tony and was also preceded in death by his parents, George and Theodora, as well as his siblings, Gus, Martha, Pete, Angie, Jim, Hank and Leo.

Speros, one of nine children, was born in 1928 in Muskegon, Michigan to Greek immigrants. He often shared fond memories of growing up with his many siblings on the lake and sand dunes, as well as working long hours at the Drelles restaurant. With his inclination to chart a different path, he chose to trade in his apron for higher education. He attended the University of Michigan, where he studied finance and earned both his Bachelor and Master degrees in Business Administration.

His greatest find at the University of Michigan was his wife for almost 70 years, Marie Diamond. There are conflicting stories as to when they first met and who was pursuing whom, but in the end, she was pinned and there began their 70-year love story.

In 1952, enroute to their honeymoon in Florida, the newlyweds stopped off in Pittsburgh for Speros’ job interview at Pittsburgh National Bank. This one little detour on their travels would change their lives forever, sending them off to find their American Dream.

Speros diligently worked his way up to the Head of the Investments Department at the Bank. His innovative and analytic approaches to investing proved to generate accurate market forecasts and successful stock picks;  he became well known in Wall Street circles, sometimes referred to as “The Greek”.

Many former employees and business associates remember him as a valuable mentor with a demanding yet nurturing style. He was well liked by many, feared by some,  but respected by all.  After retiring from the Bank he moved on to manage Eastern Airline’s pension fund, and subsequently he commuted weekly to New York City (along with his wife Marie), where he worked for Bessemer Trust Company and Marchessini & Co.    If you asked him what he did for a living he would say with sly smile, I was a purchasing agent – predicting next year’s investment fashion. He never stopped rigorously studying the market and was still writing a monthly market report for his constituents.

Speros was a great storyteller and brilliant conversationalist. He enjoyed people and always found something interesting in everyone, and this trait made him even more interesting to others. His repartee based on his amazing listening skill, his depth of knowledge and his quick wit would allow others to enjoy him regardless of a business or pleasure setting.

Speros was a member of St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Oakland and a longtime resident of Fox Chapel. He enjoyed playing golf at the Pittsburgh Field Club, having varied long standing foursomes as well as the random golf pairing.  He was always proud of his  two “hole in one’s” and being able to shoot his age in his 80’s. He enjoyed meeting his best friends at his local spots for coffee and a sweet roll in the morning, and dinners with Marie and friends at the Duquesne Club, where he was member for over 50 years. He appreciated spending time with his sons for many long-winded discussions of current events in his office, on the phone, or on the golf course. He particularly enjoyed any family get together.  An avid football fan, he enjoyed watching his alma mater in their gold and blue and the Steelers in their black and gold.

Speros’s thirst for knowledge led to a belief that educational excellence was critical for success, which he passed on to his sons. With prodding by Marie, he found it important to provide them with a good start by attending Shady Side Academy from a young age. They all fell in line, studied hard and moved on to graduate from Princeton, MIT, Stanford and his alma mater, The University of Michigan.

He will be missed for his loving nature, storytelling, wisdom, wit and let us not forget his cynicism. 

The family will have a private funeral service, and a Memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers  memorial contributions may be made to Shady Side Academy. Arrangements by John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com)

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