Dennis (Demosthenes) Tripodis

Dennis (Demosthenes) Tripodis, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025, one day before his 92nd birthday. Born on the island of Ikaria, Greece, on October 29, 1933, to parents, Konstantinos and Pheia Tripodis, Dennis was the youngest of six children. He came to America in 1952, arriving first in Baltimore, Maryland, as a young Greek merchant marine with a dream and a determined spirit. From Baltimore, he traveled to New York City, to visit relatives, before eventually making his way to the Los Angeles area, where he began working at the Paris Restaurant alongside his cousins. The restaurant business would eventually become not only his livelihood but his lifelong passion. In 1955, Dennis joined his brothers Alex and Dimitri Tripodis in the industrial city of Gary, IN, settling in as an industrial painter. It was there that fate intervened — in the very building where his brother, Alex lived, he met the love of his life and soulmate, Stella (Stamatoula) Tripodis, who lived on the second floor of the building. The two were married on September 15, 1957, and built a beautiful life together. They were blessed with two children: Dino (Konstantinos) Tripodis (born June 1958) and Maria Atsas (born March 1960). After 18 years in the industrial painting field, Dennis pursued his dream of owning his own restaurant business. In 1973, he opened Arman’s (LaPorte, IN), a quick-serve fast food restaurant, followed by his full-service restaurant, Dino’s (Michigan City, IN), in October 1979. For more than four decades, Dennis was a cornerstone of the Michiana dining community. Known for his warmth, generosity, and hospitality, he treated every customer as if they were a guest in his own home — welcoming each one to his table with genuine care and kindness. To know Dennis was to love him — his kind heart, infectious humor, and welcoming spirit touched all who had the pleasure of meeting him. Dennis’s legacy continues through his family and the restaurant tradition he built — proudly carried on by his son and grandson across the Michiana area to this day. In his later years, Dennis split his time between his beloved island of Ikaria, where he enjoyed coffee, conversation, and the company of lifelong friends, and the United States, where he spent cherished moments with his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his son, Dino Tripodis (former wife, Connie), and his daughter, Maria Atsas (former husband, Lee); loving grandchildren include, Athena (husband Danny, and great-grandsons, Daniel and Theodore), Demosthenes, Symone (husband Ian, and great-grandson Noe), Valanti Atsas, and Stella Atsas. Dennis is also survived by his loving nephews, nieces, great nephews, and great nieces. Dennis was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Stella (Stamatoula) Tripodis. A visitation will be held at Burns Funeral Home & Crematory, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, IN, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Graveside Committal will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 10 a.m. directly at Calumet Park Cemetery, 2305 W. 73rd Avenue, Merrillville, IN. Dennis will be laid to rest beside his devoted wife, Stella — reunited with his lifelong love. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered for his kindness, humor, laughter, and the love he poured into every aspect of his life. www.burnsfuneral.com

Dennis (Demosthenes) Tripodis

October 29, 1933 - October 28, 2025