Nicholas Demopoulos

Nicholas "Dino" Demopoulos, 81, of Cape Girardeau was born March 29, 1929, in Meropi, a small village in southern Greece.

He passed away Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011.

Prior to his marriage to Fotoula Goumas in 1957, Nick served with the 15th Mission of the Greek Expeditionary Force, which was attached to the 15th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. The Greek forces were dispatched to the general staff of the U.S. battalion Jan. 3, 1953, and then repatriated back into the Greek army July 24, 1954.

His military service during Korea earned him the U.N. Medal Decoration, and the Medal of the Korean Expeditionary Force. Nick was shot in the shoulder and received a Purple Heart as a result of the fighting in 1953 but continued service to its completion in 1954.

In recognition of his allied services during the Korean conflict, the United States government granted him, along with his wife and children, expedited entry into the U.S. for citizenship.

Nick and his family came to America in 1969, where they eventually found their way to Cape Girardeau. His first job in Cape Girardeau was as a pizza cook for Tony's Pizza on Broadway. Later he took over ownership of Dino's by Houck Field House and that's how he became known as "Dino."

For many years Dino's Pizza was a landmark in Cape Girardeau and a maker of vast memories for thousands of Southeast Missouri State University students and Cape Girardeau citizens as well.

For those of you who remember him, I'm sure "Dino" greeting you with his big smile and heavy Greek accent reminded you of what a truly friendly, outgoing and hard-working man he was. The original dream of "America, land of opportunity" really shone through Nick and was evident as he cooked "pizza and mojos" seven days a week, as late as 4 in the morning for the "late-nighters." He eventually opened Dinos Too in Anna, Ill., and I'm positive the citizens of Anna have the same fond memories of him as well.

His exuberant attitude and personality made an impression on everyone who knew him, and many have come to me and acknowledged just how wonderful their memories are of him and his pizzeria. His work ethic far outweighed what most of us feel is a hard day's work. He instilled these values, morals and his personality in me, his daughter, and I hope his legacy continues in all his grandchildren as well.

Even though "Dino" deteriorated medically over the last few years, he never lost his ability to remember his family, his military service, his Greek heritage and that he was a proud U.S. citizen. Most of all, he remembered serving his customers. His spirit will shine through Dino's Pizza. For all of you he made his life.

Thank you to the nurses, nurse aides and caregivers of my father at Fountainbleau Lodge, and also to the nurses, nurse aides, and caregivers in his last months at Jackson Manor. Jackson Manor's ability to keep their moral standards high dignified them as an admirable establishment.

Nick was preceded in death by his mother, Basiliki Petropoulos, and father, Konstantinos Demopoulos, of Greece, as well as two brothers, John and Peter.

He is survived by a daughter, Amalia Demopoulos Phillips, and son-in-law, Brian Phillips; a son, Kosta "Gus" Demopoulos; five grandchildren, Alexia and Nefeli Phillips, Nikolas, Astraia, and Ioanna Demopoulos, all of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Maria Nikolakeas and Angeliki Mintzas; and a brother, George Demopoulos of Greece.

A very special thank you to my very good friends and co-workers at Saint Francis Medical Center in the ICU and my manager, and most appropriately to Ford and Sons (Cliff) for their special support and management of my father's final arrangements. May God bless your marvelous work and continue your path for others.

A visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.

A full traditional Greek-Christian Orthodox funeral will follow at noon. The Rev. Daniel Morton of St. John the Theologian will serve as priest, and the Rev. Joseph Strzelecki will serve as concelebrant (chanter). Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28.