Sotiris Sotiropoulos' Obituary
If there was anyone who loved lottery tickets and casino trips, it was Sotiris Sotiropoulos. He was all about gambling in the hopes of winning big—something that translated into his approach to life. The time between his birth in Palaiopyrgos, Greece on May 19, 1934 and his passing on April 9, 2019 was filled with many gambles, the first of which began by moving to Melbourne, Australia in 1959, and in 1963, marrying a Greek woman named Tasia. Although he had only met her through photos and letters, he struck the lottery. What followed were 56 years of marriage and two sons, Taso and Kosta. But once Sotiris heard of the opportunities in America, he and Tasia decided to gamble once again; in 1972, they moved across the globe to Dallas, Texas. Whereas in Athens, he held the honor of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Dallas, Sotiris opened a successful painting business with his brother and best friend, Thanasi. They could be found driving around Dallas in a big, white van, stamped with “S&A BROTHERS PAINTING” in red letters. Still, his roots remained important to him; he was a faithful member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and even became president of their Nafpaktian Brotherhood—a position he had also held for many years in Melbourne. Sotiris was both extremely extraverted and a man of simplicity. One day, he’d be leading syrto dances at annual Nafpaktian celebrations; the next, sinking back in his iconic living room chair, watching classic cowboy movies, stomping grapes to make wine, gardening… The list goes on. He loved to fish with Tasia, hunt with his sons, and go on walks with his granddaughter Anastasia. “Ena kai kalo” he’d call her—“one and good.” Sotiris is preceded in death by his parents, Taso and Sophia. He will be greatly missed by his wife Tasia, children Taso and Katerina, Kosta and Alexandra, “chupa” Anastasia, and his siblings and their spouses: Pagona, Maria, Konstantina and John, Thanasi and Thessalia. Prayer service will take place at Holy Trinity on Thursday, April 11 at 7pm. Funeral service will be held on Friday, April 12 at noon. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Holy Trinity Academy. Saying Sotiris never won the lottery isn’t exactly true. Because in reality, he didn’t just win it—he made everyone who knew him feel like they did, too. Funeral arrangements for Sotiris Sotiropoulos have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, which is located at 13005 Greenville Ave., at the intersection of Restland Road, Dallas, Texas 75243, and can be reached at (972) 238-7111.
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