Theodore S. Kolontouros

Theodore S. Kolontouros passed away at the age of 89 on August 6, 2026. Beloved husband of Flora (Svirou) and devoted father to Athanasia and Sotirios. Loving brother to his three siblings, the late Dionysios (Voula) Kolotouros, Nikolaos (Amalia) Colotouros, and Panagiota (George) Giannoukakis. Beloved brother-in-law, uncle, godfather, and fond friend to many.

Born in 1936 to Sotirios and Athanasia (Karalekas) Kolontouros in the Greek village of Evangelismos, Messinias. Theodore went to high school in Pylos and graduated from the Tourism School of Rhodes with a certificate in hotel management. Afterwards, he attended the Greek Infantry Reserve Officer’s School where he was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the Greek Army in 1959. Upon graduation he served in the 10th Infantry Division, a front line unit stationed at the Rupel Pass along the Bulgarian border during the Cold War.

In 1961 he emigrated to Montreal where he worked alongside his brother Niko, helping to run the grocery store that he owned. It was there he got his start in the food industry, first in retail and then wholesale distribution working for Standard Importing Company in Montreal. In 1965 he emigrated to New York and worked at the New York branch. It was there he met Flora.

Moving his new family to Chicago in 1972, he continued with Standard as a manager, establishing himself as a respected member of the food distribution community. In 1985 he opened his own grocery distribution company, Euro Delights, and continued in that endeavor until he retired in 2010. It was a family business and both Athanasia and Flora worked along side Theodore for many years.

Although he retired he didn’t retire from life. He continued part time doing what he did best. Theodore’s work was his passion and was centered around people and community. He knew his customers at a personal level; their families, their stories, their joys and their sorrows. He genuinely cared about them and they cared about him.

For his family, he was an example of service to others, sacrifice for a greater good, and working hard simply for a job well done. After Theodore fell ill in 2020, he still liked going out to be among people in his community, be it visiting an old friend in the business or going out for lunch every day with Flora. With his family by his side, he fought cancer valiantly and passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord. May his memory be eternal. In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Des Plaines, IL or the American Cancer Society are greatly appreciated.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 11:30am at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 2350 E. Dempster Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016. Interment will follow at Ridgewood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 11am until the time of service.

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