Menelaos Paul Panagiotou

Menelaos Paul Panagiotou passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026, at the age of 92, surrounded by his loving family. Present with him were his children Paul, Michelle, and Pauline, his son-in-law Gene, and two of his grandchildren, Christian and Brandon.

Menelaos courageously battled Alzheimer’s disease for seven years. Despite the challenges of the illness and a recent fall that led to hospitalization and rehabilitation, his spirit and love of life remained evident to the end.

Born in Athens, Greece, Menelaos was a survivor of the Nazi occupation during World War II, an experience that shaped his strength and resilience throughout his life. He later served in the Royal Coast Guard of Greece and was known for his athleticism, particularly as a champion swimmer and for his powerful tennis serve.

Menelaos was incredibly proud of his Greek heritage and carried that pride with him throughout his life. He loved sharing stories of Greece, its culture, and its history with family and friends.

He had a deep love for music and dancing. It was common for him to ask someone he had just met, “Do you dance?” That joyful spirit stayed with him throughout his life and is one of the many ways he will be remembered by those who knew and loved him.

He met the love of his life, Marilyn Joan (Siewert) Panagiotou, while working in Nigeria, where she was a teacher at a missionary school and he worked in sales. They were married in Athens and went on to raise their family across several countries and cities, including New York City, Nigeria, Athens (Greece), Amarillo (Texas), and Chicago (Illinois). Together they built a life filled with adventure, family, and enduring love.

Menelaos was preceded in death by his parents, Paul P. Panagiotou and Elli (Xydias) Panagiotou; his siblings, Marlen Panagiotou-Ioannidis, Panagiotis “Takis” Panagiotou, and Michael Panagiotou; his beloved wife, Marilyn Joan Panagiotou; and his daughter, Christine Nausica Panagiotou-Pompeo.

He is survived by his children Pauline Elli Panagiotou-Schneider of Bellows Falls, Vermont, Michelle Maria Panagiotou-Pasciak and her husband Gene Charles Pasciak Jr. of Oviedo, Florida, and Paul Raymond Panagiotou of Orlando, Florida. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Michael Allan Schneider, Christina Eleni Schneider, Anastasia Marie Schneider, Justin Cole Pasciak, Christian Tyler Pasciak and his wife Katie Ballantyne-Pasciak, Brandon Luke Pasciak, Ronan Donald Pompeo, and Ellie Hope Pompeo, along with extended family and many friends who will cherish his memory.

Menelaos will be laid to rest later this summer in Chicago, Illinois, where he will be buried beside his beloved wife and daughter.

He will be remembered for his strength, humor, love of dancing, and the deep love he had for his family.

May his memory be eternal.

Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox church Mortgage Elimination:

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox church Mortgage Elimination: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z5DQ/campaign/C-12GGD