Fox Valley doctor is warmly recalled

A physician who treated patients for more than 40 years in the Fox Valley area, including the last 35 in his general practice, has died.

Dr. T. G. Limberis of West Dundee, known fondly to longtime patients as "Doc," passed away Thursday. He was 78.

Patients, colleagues and fellow members of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church are mourning his loss, describing Limberis as a community leader as well as trusted physician.

"He was very caring and intent on getting you well," says one of his patients, Vickie Jambor of Hampshire. "You felt a sense of comfort in his presence."

Limberis was born in Zagana, Greece, in 1929, and he never lost his love of his native country and heritage.

He attended medical school in Greece but completed his residency at Elmhurst College. His medical career began in the early 1960s, when he served at the Elgin Mental Health Center and the emergency room at St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin.

In 1972, he began his family practice in Elgin, serving residents of all ages.

"It was always a busy office, but if you needed to get in, he got you right in," Jambor said. "You never waited."

Limberis retained his ties with Provena St. Joseph Hospital, and just last year auxiliary members presented him with their DOVE Award, recognizing his values and commitment to excellence.

Within a few years of starting his practice, Limberis established another Elgin institution when he gathered with others to bring a Greek Orthodox church to the city.

"He was part of a group that saw this great need to have an Orthodox Christian church in the Fox Valley area," said the Rev. Andrew Karamitos of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. "He made that need a reality, and 29 years later here we are."

The church serves about 300 families who come as far as Arlington Heights and Lake Geneva, Wis.

Limberis also spearheaded fundraising efforts to purchase the church's property and erect its building, but more recently he had taken on a new dream: to build a true Byzantine church for the congregation.

"It was his deep-rooted faith and love of his Hellenic heritage that moved him," Karamitos added.

Limberis is survived by his wife of 46 years, Nan, as well as five children: Magdaline (Dr. William) Nelson, George (Lynette), Don (Kelly), Jim (Rose) and Themis (Mary). He also had 14 grandchildren.

Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. today at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox, 525 Church Road in Elgin.