Konstantinos Nikolaos Koutsias

Konstantinos “Kosta” Nikolaos Koutsias was born on May 6, 1937, in Athens, Greece, to Nikolaos and Georgia Koutsias. A few years later, he was joined by his younger brother, Xristos, beginning a lifelong brotherly bond filled with love.

An adventurous and mischievous youth, Kosta’s early years were marked with stories such as racing with his brother in a stroller down the hills of Kolonaki, locking his brother in a room while he threw a party, jumping his bicycle into the Aegean resulting in a scar on his leg a lifelong reminder of youthful folly.

In 1957, his father sent him to Germany where he studied the emerging field of computer science at the University of Freiburg. There, Kosta built a small but tight-knit community of fellow students, supporting one another despite their limited means. To earn extra money, he held many jobs, including working as an interpreter in a coal mine, eventually saving enough to buy an old WWII motorcycle—one that could be heard from blocks away.

In 1961 in a Gasthaus (tavern) in Dortmund, Germany, he spotted a beautiful blonde German girl sitting near the dance floor. That girl, Anita, stole his heart setting in motion a love story which spanned over six decades.

In 1967, Kosta and Anita left Europe to follow his parents to the U.S., settling in Washington, D.C. They were described by their younger cousins in the States as looking “like movie-stars” with their good looks and European style. To add to this image, Kosta bought a Camaro, a car he would reminisce about for years.

Kosta and Anita were married at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Washington, DC. He began his career in public service working for the D.C. Government, eventually leading the District’s data processing division - a position he held until his retirement.

Kosta and Anita began their married life in a swanky Chevy Chase apartment (with a heated pool on the roof), however in 1973, with the arrival of their first child, Nicholas Konstantinos, they had to move as the building had a strict "no children" policy. They found their forever home in Rockville, MD, in the Carter Hill community, which had everything they wanted for their growing family: open fields, woods, a community pool, and easy access to D.C.'s museums and national parks. The Camaro gave way to a Mercedes and then a Volvo. In 1979, his world became even more full with the arrival of his daughter, Nina Alexandra.

Kosta and Anita built a life for their children centered on culture, learning, and experiences over extravagance. They prioritized saving in their daily lives to allow for summers in Greece and Germany, Cape Cod, the Carolinas and Florida. Upon Kosta’s retirement, he and Anita bought a beachside condo in the charming town of Duck, NC. Retirement also allowed them to indulge in their love of world travel, journeying to places as far as Brazil, Singapore, Egypt, Jordan, New Zealand and even Antarctica.

A lifelong soccer fan, Kosta also embraced American football and became a devoted Washington Redskins fan. He also enjoyed watching the World Cups and the Olympics. He always rooted for the underdog - a philosophy that extended far beyond sports.

Kosta had an appreciation for history, art, music, and culture with a passion for photography, taking countless photos of Anita and their travels. An avid supporter of NPR and PBS, he valued programs such as Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Nature, and A Prairie Home Companion.

In 2012 his family grew as Nicholas and his wife Catherine welcomed twin boys, Constantine “Costaki” Nikos and Karl Andrew. Kosta assumed his new role as Papou with immense pride. A few years later Nina and her husband, Anthony rounded out the family with their dog, Filos.

Several years ago, Kosta was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Though he lived well with the condition, his health declined near the end of 2024. After a three-month battle, he passed peacefully on the evening of February 9, 2025. His family takes solace in knowing his passing was without pain.

A funeral service will be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Bethesda, MD on Friday, February 21 @ 11:30am, followed by burial service at All Souls Cemetery in Germantown, MD and lunch at Ela Mesa Taste of Greece in Gaithersburg, MD. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org)

The funeral services will be live-streamed Here: https://youtube.com/live/LNPn14AZEQg