Alex Steve Vanis

Born to Greek immigrants, Steve and Mary (Stajos) Vanis on October 5, 1931, Alex was a life-long Lansing area resident. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Toni (Tesseris), his sister Melba Zervas (2022) and brother Gus Vanis (2017). He is survived by his children, Marina (Bill) McCarthy and Stuart (Elizabeth) Vanis; grandchildren, Alexa, Alex, Caline, Stephanie and William; brother-in-law, George (Sousanna) Tesseris; and many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Alex grew up on the west side of Lansing, not far from the state capital, on the corner of Pine and Lapeer Street. Alex’s father owned The Eagle restaurant in downtown Lansing which was steps from the capital and was frequented by lawmakers. Alex started working in his father’s restaurant at age 10, which began his lifelong career in restaurant development and management.

Alex was a 1949 graduate of Sexton High School and a 1954 graduate of Michigan State University from The School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management. After graduating, he was stationed at an U.S. Army anti-aircraft artillery station in Detroit.

He was a co-owner of his family's restaurant, The Eagle, in downtown Lansing until 1968 when Alex partnered with his brother, Gus, and brother-in-law, George to purchase the iconic Coral Gables Restaurant in East Lansing. For over 50 years, Alex served Michigan State University students, professors, alumni and the surrounding community with delicious Greek and American food. Alex was dedicated to preserving the restaurant’s old charm, creating a warm, welcoming space for alumni who fondly remembered its days as a show bar, while also building a family friendly atmosphere where generations could gather. He made everyone feel welcome and was regularly seen chatting with customers at their tables, having lunch with his long-time friends and dinners with Toni.

For all of us, the memories made at The Coral Gables are the legacy he leaves behind.

In 1972, Alex partnered again with George to open Alex’s Restaurant, The Point After and Taffy’s in downtown Lansing. They later went on to develop the land surrounding the Coral Gables in East Lansing.

Alex was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, the Order of AHEPA and the MSU John Hannah Society. One of his greatest accomplishments was having a family that was happy, healthy and enjoyed spending time together. He loved having all the grandchildren at his home for summer and winter breaks.

The family would like to thank Cierra Pavlica and Anna Fulcher for their continued care for Alex after Toni passed away, Al Labra and Jessica Hilla of Corso Care Hospice, Patrick Leblanc, Wendy Mehan and all the staff at Story Point Abbot Park for their exceptional care and compassion in Alex’s last years of life.

The funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Thursday August 21, 2025, at 11:00 am. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 am with Trisagion services at 10:30.

Finding a cure for Alzheimer’s was deeply important to Alex. In lieu of flowers, consider donations to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (https://curealz.org/giving/donate/), The Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/) or the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1701 East Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48912.