Theodore James Andriotakis

Ted would aptly be described as a Renaissance man. He was endlessly curious, a true seeker of knowledge, fearless problem solver and natural inventor. He was quick-witted and multitalented; a true magician with tools. Musician, carpenter, pilot and luthier; baker, butcher, gardener; sailor, artist, engineer, beautician, photographer, shipwright, upholsterer, salesman and, above all, an enthusiastic teacher: these were the many hats he wore during his 96 years of life. He defines the “Greatest Generation”: overcoming difficulties and persevering, and despite it all, making the best of life. Being a child of the Great Depression and a first generation American shaped the way he saw the world and his place in it. He was often described as charming, kind and fascinating and he was generous to a fault with his time and talents. But most of all, he was a family man, taking great pride in his large family and cherishing the time spent with them. He was a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend who enjoyed life and the world around him.

He was born August 16, 1926, in Newburyport, Massachusetts to Demetrios (James), a shoemaker, and Stamatia (Stella) Andriotakis, the third of eight children. He is survived by his brother Louis (Stella) and sister Evelyn (Alfred) Amato; children James (Diane), Pamela (Arthur) Andriotakis-Gromadzki, Tina Marie (Antoine) Andriotakis-Heintz; seven grandchildren: Moody, Jan, Thais, Alex, Joanna, Amaury and Tiphaine; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. His wife of 75 years, Antigone (Ann) pre-deceased him (2021), as did his siblings John, Charles, Mary Scribner, Catherine Hamilton and Patricia Peabody. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy during WWII, directly out of high school.

Memorial donations can be made to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church or the Hellenic Museum of Michigan.

Visitation for Ted will be on Monday, April 17, 2023 from 5 PM until 8 PM, Trisagion at 7 PM, at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236. A funeral service will be on Tuesday at 11 AM, instate at 10 AM, at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 21800 Marter Rd, St Clair Shores, MI 48080. Ted will join his wife Ann at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI on Wednesday at 10 AM.