Our beloved family member and friend Paul C. Bapis passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025. Paul was born on October 18, 1932 in Bingham Canyon to proud parents Chris (Christos) and Katherine (Kathryn) Bapis. He grew up in the presence of his parents’ Panhellenic Merc in Copperfield, a decades-long grocery store business. In 1957, his family moved to Midvale where his mother, brother Jim, and he lived following his father’s death.
Paul joined the U.S. Army in 1952 where he served in the 20th Infantry as Corporal and head chef at Fort Ord, California. Upon his return home, he worked for United Press International (UPI) and later began his career in the financial industry, joining his cousin Nick Bapis at E. F. Hutton. They spent the next 50 years working to grow a thriving business.
He grew up in a family who cared for wayward animals, especially cats and his adopted friend Snowball. His love of sports led to a lifelong devotion to baseball and the Red Sox. To his dying day he told stories about Triple Crown winner Ted Williams. A perfect day for Paul meant heading to the golf range, hitting two buckets of balls and topping it off with a couple of drinks. He famously believed “golf is in your blood. There is no way to get rid of it.”
Paul had been married to Beverly Humphrey, but later divorced. He provided a supportive role to Beverly’s children Robert Humphrey ( Jeri), Steven Humphrey (Jan) and Diane Weaver ( Curt).
Paul lived a life of caring and sharing with all those he had touched. Thanks to his many friends and “buddies” who enjoyed the weekend out with Paul, lovingly known as Chief.
To the nursing staff at Lone Peak Hospital, thank you for your care of and compassion for Paul. A special thanks to Paul’s attending physician Dr. Darrin Hansen and to Archimandrite Fr. George Nikas and Fr. Elias Koucos who attended to his spiritual life.
Paul will be remembered for his respect for life and love for his family and friends. He summarized what was important to him the day before his death - “faith, trustworthiness, and being 100% American.” We miss you Chief.
He is survived by Nick (Elaine), Michael (Eleni) Alethia (Chris), and Maria, Georgia, Sophia and Christoforos who fondly called him their “Theo.”
He is preceded in death by his father, Chris; mother, Katherine; and his beloved brother, Jim.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 on Monday, August 11th at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 279 S. 300 W. in Salt Lake City. Friends may visit Sunday evening, August 10th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a Trisagion prayer service at 6:30 at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Salt Lake City, located at 3401 S. Highland Drive.
In lieu flowers, donations can be made to Holy Trinity Hellenic Cultural Center c/o Holy Trinity Cathedral 279 S. 300 W. SLC, UT 84101.
