Nick G. Kantaros

Nick Kantaros passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on October 18, 2026, at the age of 94.

Nick was born on February 7, 1932, in the village of Vassara, Greece, the youngest of five children and the only son. As a young man, he ran his father’s bus business until he joined the Greek military, where he served as a lieutenant. At 26, his sister introduced him to Dena, and it was love at first sight. After a whirlwind three-week romance, they married in September 1958 in Greece and were blessed with 68 years together.

In 1959, Nick immigrated to the United States, and he and Dena made their home on Long Island, New York, for 23 years. He worked as a mechanic and a milk delivery driver before joining his uncle’s floral business, which he eventually took over. He also owned a successful pizza restaurant. In 1981, a vacation to Arizona left the couple so taken with the weather that they moved to Phoenix the following year.

In Tempe, Nick opened a pizza restaurant, which he ran until the heartbreaking loss of his son in 1984. Wanting to be closer to his family, he sold the restaurant and took a job at a local floral shop, where he worked until retiring in 1997. In retirement, he and Dena traveled the world, sailing on cruises together, and he made trips to Mexico with his daughter.

Faith and community were central to Nick’s life. He was an active member of the Holy Trinity community and of AHEPA, and for many years he volunteered at the Greek Festival, where his granddaughters adored the tzatziki he made for the gyro booth.

A natural tinkerer, Nick taught himself to fix anything that broke, whether in his workshop or his kitchen. He was an outstanding cook who never needed a recipe; he followed his heart.

Above all, he found joy in providing for his family and was a devoted husband and father. He doted on his granddaughters and teased them for never learning Greek, though they knew enough to tell him how much they loved their Papou.

Nick was preceded in death by his parents, George and Eugenia Kantaros; his sisters, Alexandra Veris, Joan Janatakis, Helen Karalis, and Pota Kostopoulos; and his children, George and Jean Kantaros. He is survived by his wife, Dena Kantaros; his son-in-law, William King; and his granddaughters, Valerie and Georgianna Vasilas.

A visitation will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Friday, October 23, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. The mercy meal luncheon will follow at 11:30am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Trinity Cathedral in Nick Kantaros’ name.

Nick will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him.