Demetrios "Gim" Vasilarakos

Demetrios "Gim" A. Vasilarakos

November 26, 1932-May 16, 2025

Demetrios A. "Gim" Vasilarakos, 92, of La Porte, Indiana, passed away Friday, May 16, 2025 at Franciscan Hospital, Michigan City, IN.

He was born November 26, 1932 in Distomo, Greece, the son of Anastasios and Kalomira (Papanikolou) Vasilarakos.

In 1952, at the age of 20, and after surviving the WWII tragedy of his home village, Distomo, Demetrios arrived on the shores of America in New York. He moved to Chicago, settled in Gary, IN, and on May 20, 1962, married the love of his life, Despina Vasilarakos. In 1981, they moved to La Porte, IN. Gim, as he was known, went to work as a Blast Furnace operator for US Steel before partnering in Louie's Restaurant in La Porte. Gim loved traveling to Greece with Despina yearly, where he built a family house and hosted many family gatherings. He was a huge soccer fan, always cheering for his favorite team, Panathinaikos. Gim was a long-standing member of the SS Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, a member of the Patriotic Society Distomiton and attended the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Michigan City. Gim was a dapper gent, always dressing to the T. He was an empathetic soul with a kind heart who will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter, Myra Vasilarakos of Chicago, IL; son, Tom J. Vasilarakos of La Porte, IN; sister, Irene Sfoundouris of Distomo, Greece; precious godson, Nick Pergantinas of Lakemoor, IL; three nephews, John (Meg) Demakas, Tom (Shiela) Demakas, Tom (Diana) Vasilarakos; niece, Miriam (Bill) Guinee and numerous others in Greece.

Demetrios was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Despina; his parents; his siblings, John, Vasili, Maria Demakas, Vasiliki Kavrakos, George, Loucas (Thespina) and Nick and his nephew Basil Vasilarakos.

Arrangements are being entrusted to Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 602 Maple Ave., La Porte, IN. Services will be held at SS Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Thursday, May 22, 2025 with visitation at 9:30 and service at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be made in Gim's name to the SS Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 8000 Madison St., Merrillville, IN 46410.

Online condolences may be made at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com.