Constantinos Evangelos Houpis

Constantinos Evangelos Houpis, age 92, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on the morning of August 16, 2026. He was born on May 14, 1934, in Vamvakou, Sparta, Greece, the son of the late Evangelos and Vasiliki Houpis.

In 1955, Constantinos, who also went by the name Dino, immigrated to Keene, NH, and worked as a busboy at the Crystal Restaurant, his uncle’s business. He attended Keene Teachers College from 1956-1957, and then joined the U.S. military, where he served for three years stationed in Heidelberg, Germany (Campbell Barracks). He rose to the rank of sergeant, taking charge of the electronics for radar systems — a role that would shape the course of his life's work.

After the army, Dino moved to Chicago and put himself through college by working nights, weekends, and holidays as a waiter at the South Shore Country Club. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1964, followed by his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1966. In 1969, he married his beautiful wife, Georgia, in Kapandriti, Greece, and raised their family in Morton Grove, IL. Over the years, he worked in the corporate engineering field before becoming a commercial real estate broker. There, he was inspired to acquire apartment buildings on Chicago’s North Side. He loved the city and the people and worked the real estate market alongside his career.

Despite his enthusiasm for engineering and real estate, he discovered his passion for teaching. For 20 years, he served as a professor at Oakton Community College, where he taught electronics to generations of students, sharing not only his technical expertise, but also his work ethic and love of learning. He was a challenging instructor, as he always demanded excellence, and he was respected and beloved by his students.

Dino was a man of great faith. He lovingly invested much of his time at Holy Taxiarhai and St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, serving on the parish council for many years, including as president. He lent his angelic and sweet voice to Sunday services as a chanter as well as at any other churches and services he had the opportunity to join.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Georgia Houpis (née Economou); loving children Evan (Candace Alexia) Houpis, Vasya (George) Platanitis, George (Georgia) Houpis; cherished siblings Maria (the late Demosthenes) Georgas, and Nickolas (Matoula) Houpis; adoring grandchildren Katerina, Eleni, Georgia, Dino, Emilia, Stavroula, Maria, and Demetra, who were the greatest loves of his life. He was preceded in death by his brother, the late George (the late Maita) Houpis.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026 at 11 am at St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, 7373 N. Caldwell Ave., Niles, IL 60174. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held at church from 10 am until the time of service.

Arrangements by Demeros Funeral and Cremation Services 847-302-7176