Woodland Hills, Calif. -- John Tolos, taken at the far too young age of 78 was buried June 5 after a moving Orthodox Greek service involving two Greek priests singing, chanting and recounting some of John's life.

John's favorite Greek Orthodox Church was lovely; very ornate with colorful stained glass windows, artwork and extensive marble everywhere. The lead Priest said he'd gotten to know John in the last few years and said there was of course lots more to John as a human being, apart from his many accomplishments in wrestling, movies and sports.

There was a viewing the night before with some fans recounting some of his best angles, and then at the service and burial.

I was asked by John's extremely-devoted son Chris to be a pall-bearer which was an honor. Others there included John's longtime compadre at the Lebell promotion, publicist Jeff Walton and his son Scott; wrestler friends Mando Guerrero and Rock Riddle who were in awe of John as a wrestling legend back when they first met him in the mid-70s, area indie promoter and longtime Tolos fan Dan Ferrin, and many others. Our fan club vice-president, Mark Dawson was also there remembering his dad, actor/father Richard taking he and brother Gary to Hawaii when John worked there in '77 and '78 during the final days for Ed Francis. The Dawsons spent much of their time in Honolulu with John, Ingrid and young Chris. And lots of John's gentle ribs there, which John always called "my Vic Christy ribs ... they never really hurt anyone."

Richard, best known as the comedic actor for hosting Family Feud TV Game show on ABC network, had wanted John to be on his inaugural tapings of a revival of Groucho Marx's famous "You Bet Your Life" (which were taped but never aired, nor sadly picked up for syndication).

The church program and nature of it, didn't allow for anyone going up and remembering John at the podium, so some of us did that prior to the burial and after the specific service there, at the request of the family.

John's ex-wife Ingrid was there of course, his daughter Tracy of Boston, and of course his son Chris and Chris' girlfriend who grieved. John and Chris were very close (as John was to his mom, brother and sister) and John always talked about how proud he was of his lone son that he named after his beloved brother Chris.

Chris enjoyed hearing everyone talk about the incredible things his incredible father did, our various friendships with him, of course, some of the angles, ribs and road stories. I remember John moving wherever Chris needed to go to study to become the physical therapist/doctor that he is today (New England, Florida and back to Woodland Hills, Calif.). He always seemed like the most dedicated dad I'd ever seen before or since in the business.

This will take a long time for Chris, who was hit very hard with losing his father at such a young age. John, who always treated his body like a temple, had in the last few months of his life suffered kidney/renal failure which was something Sheik (Ed Farhut) and Pepper Gomez had to deal with and took them too young as well.

John always refused to break kayfabe on my radio show, so we instead asked about road stories and ribs which he was fine with and enjoyed discussing-especial discussing-especially his decade-long friendships -- from Stu Hart, Bruno Sammartino, Verne Gagne and Thesz, Baba and Inoki, of course Dutch Savage, Kiniski and Don Leo. Mascaras. Blassie. Monsoon. Gene Lebell and so many others. He was seemingly friends with and touched most everyone in some way or another.

For anyone who'd watched The Golden Greek take such gentle, loving care on a daily basis of his longtime grappling pals like Vic Christy and Billy Varga, the weekly calls to Kowalski, Stu (Hart) and Lord Blears (still alive but ailing greatly) please say a prayer and keep him in your thoughts.

Eees-Eff-Caristo John!