Peter Pappas

Peter Pappas, 95, a longtime resident of Palatine, and former resident of Chicago, passed away on November 11, 2024. Peter was one of the most genuine, friendly, hard working, and tough and resilient guys you would ever meet. He loved talking with people, telling stories and jokes. So many jokes. He had a story for every neighborhood and section of Chicago. He led an interesting life, serving in the United States Army during the Korean War, being a minor league umpire and an over the road truck driver.

 As a young man he was a proficient athlete excelling in baseball, football, and basketball. He was an encyclopedia of sports knowledge and could tell you, in depth, all about the golden eras of Major League Baseball, the NFL, and the NBA, especially when it came to Chicago teams. He saw the original Three Stooges on stage as well as watched Babe Ruth take batting practice with the Brooklyn Dodgers. After a dance was rescheduled due to the Kennedy assassination, he met Mary Revelas. He always told her that they were a “good team.” They would be married for 49 years until her passing in 2014, raising two sons, Dean and Jim who their world’s revolved around. He enjoyed being with Mary and having “coffee and” with friends and family, going to breakfast with his lifelong friends, going to Chicago sporting events, watching sports and Gunsmoke on television, and spending time, and spoiling his beloved grandchildren.

Peter is preceded in death by his parents Gust and Demetra (nee Karras), his uncle Jim Pappas, uncle George Karras, and survived by his son Dean (Joy) Pappas, grandson Peter Pappas, son James (Sandra Shultz)Pappas, granddaughters Jamie Marie and Mary Olivia Pappas, and sister Barbara (the late Alex) Kopsian (nee Pappas). Pete was a good man. Everyone that encountered him called him a “sweetheart” and a “funny guy.” He was a character, but most of all he was a devoted son, nephew, husband, father, papou (grandfather), brother, and friend. We will miss him dearly but as Pete always said in times of darkness, “the sun will shine tomorrow.” And “watch those doorknobs…they’ll turn on you.”

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 11am at St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10am until the time of service. Arrangements by Demeros Funeral and Cremation Services 847-302-7176