Demetrios Elias Protopsaltis, age 94 of Hayward, CA, fell asleep in the Lord, surrounded by his family, on September 19, 2023. A devoted father, husband, and grandfather, he is survived by his loving daughters Elpiniki Niki Protopsaltis, Evangelina Lilika (Protopsaltis) Stratigos, and her husband, John, son Elias Protopsaltis, grandchildren Adam Angelas, Dimitri Angelas, Eleni Stratigos, Alexander Angelas, Demetrios Stratigos, Kel Sumstad, Renna Protopsaltis, Demetrios Protopsaltis, and Olen Protopsaltis. He is also survived by many, nieces, nephews, and extended family, throughout the US and Greece. He is preceded by his lovely wife of 57 years, Irene Protopsaltis (October 25, 2021); his grandson Theodore Stratigos who went to be with our Lord Feb 8, 2021, at the tender age of 26. We find comfort in knowing Theodore ('gift from God'), along with his 'Yiayia', was waiting to welcome his 'Pappou' with open arms. Nothing can express the depth of our sadness or the way our family has been shattered by the loss of these remarkable and beautiful souls. Demetrios is also preceded in his earthly life by his loving parents, Elias and Elpiniki (Papalexiou) Protopsaltis, brother Alexis Protopsaltis, sisters Mary (Protopsaltis) Argyropoulos, Kyriaki (Protopsaltis) Stoeffen, Elly (Protopsaltis) Pangis, Thalia (Protopsaltis) Johns, and nephews Apostolos Johns and Elias Argyropoulos.
Pappou, as he was lovingly called by his grandchildren, was the king of “dad jokes,” and always had a beaming smile to greet you. Demetrios married the girl of his dreams in 1964, ‘Renaki’ as he lovingly called her. Together they created a loving home where their love of church, family, and strong work ethic were the cornerstones of the family they created. He was mom’s ‘true north’ and sounding board always at the ready with his sage advice be it the family real estate business or family matters closer to the heart.
Demetrios, who emigrated from Nea Palatia, Greece, to Canada, prior to making his permanent home in Northern California, was a pillar of the Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland, CA for over 50 years, where he successfully established and ran the Greek Language School, as well as volunteered without fail at the annual Greek Festival. In later years he ran the ‘kaffenion’ or coffee shop with mom at his side, reading guests their fortunes from the coffee cups - an added treat.
Demetrios had a lifelong passion for learning, having earned a BA from the University of Manitoba in 1961, an MA in Education from the University of San Francisco in 1976, and a Doctor of Education (EdD) from Nova University in 1986. He was an enthusiastic promoter of higher education often advising that “education is the one thing that can never be taken away from you,” and devoted his career to teaching English and History from middle school to college level. Demetrios also taught English as a second language to immigrants newly arriving to our great country and was somewhat of a linguist with a natural ability for foreign languages. He showed interest and kindness to his international students by asking them to teach him their native language as he taught them English, and knew conversational phrases in Tagalog, Farsi, Mandarin, and Cantonese, to name a few. He was known to converse with the butcher, the bank teller, his tenants, anyone he would encounter, and establish connection through conversation in their native language.
Demetrios’ affable nature, intelligence, and fortitude were evident in all that he did, coming to this country with ‘nothing’ and building a life most families only dream of.
Demetrios was also blessed with the gift of music, self-taught on the piano, accordion, harmonica, and bouzouki (Greek stringed instrument like a mandolin). He always filled our home with lovely music and laughter. Demetrios was also a published poet, and later in life published a book on the chronology and history of Greece.
Forever in our hearts, Dad, our “Baba,” you will always be remembered for your humor, quick wit, and huge heart.
A visitation for Demetrios will be held Wednesday, September 27, 2023 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. followed by a Trisagion 6:00 p.m. at Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 4700 Lincoln Ave, Oakland, CA 94602.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St George Greek Orthodox Church, 2219 N Orchard St, Fresno, CA 93703.
Interment to follow at Fresno Memorial Gardens.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Protopsaltis family.
