Andreas S. Dorizas

Andreas S. Dorizas of Queens, N.Y. passed away peacefully in his sleep during the early hours of Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at the age of 89. Born on December 7, 1935 in his native village of Dorizata, a remote farm town located on the island of Cephalonia in Greece, Andreas was the youngest of six children and the only boy in the family, which was comprised of his late sisters: Foto, Ellas, Aspasia, Evangelia, and Erasmia. Having lost his father when he was only a toddler, Andreas needed to become the man of the house at a young age—a role that fortified him to be a charismatic and tenacious leader in his family and in his community. In 1952, at the age of 17 and in search for a better life for himself and his family, Andreas immigrated to the United States, where he met the love of his life, Anna S. Dorizas (née Papanicolaou) and settled in Queens.

Throughout his lifetime, Andreas was often regarded as a beacon of the communities in which he lived, worked, and volunteered. Andreas spent most of his professional career operating his diner, the beloved Terminal Diner formerly located at 357 West Street (at the intersection of Leroy and West Streets) in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. Andreas served tens of thousands of patrons at the Terminal Diner over the course of several decades, and when food was left over after the day had ended, Andreas would endeavor to feed the homeless living on the streets of the Village. Upon retiring from his work at the Terminal Diner in the late 1990s, Andreas assumed key leadership roles at Saint Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church, located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Serving as the president of the parish council, Andreas was a steadfast advocate for increased participation among parishioners, capital improvements at the church, and ensuring the church’s mission aligned with the religious values of the Greek Orthodox faith. In his later years, Andreas spent much of his time sitting outside of his home in Corona, Queens, making sure to greet each and every person who walked past his home with a smile. Andreas was truly the epitome of an extrovert, talking to everyone he encountered and telling them stories about his remarkable life.

Andreas is survived by his wife, Anna Dorizas of Queens, N.Y.; his son, Spiro Dorizas, of Garden City, N.Y.; his daughter, Foula Dorizas Bandini, of Manhasset Hills, N.Y.; his daughter-in-law Eileen Dunn Dorizas of Garden City; and his four grandchildren: Andrew B. Bandini, Christopher A. Dorizas, Evan L. Bandini, and Troy N. Dorizas.

Visitation will be held on the evening of Friday, May 30, 2025 at Frederick Funeral Home, located at 192-15 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, N.Y. 11358, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A funeral will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 9:00 AM at Saint Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church, located at 153 West 105th Street, New York, N.Y. 10025. Following the funeral and in the exclusive presence of close family, Andreas Dorizas will be interred at Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens, N.Y., where his late mother, Penelope Dorizas, currently rests.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Saint Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church in Andreas’ honor. Donations to Saint Gerasimos Church can be made by accessing a secure PayPal portal located on their website, www.stgnyc.org.