Steve Pappas Obituary

Not really sure why Steve popped into my mind today, but he did. What wonderful memories I have of my time working with him and the basketball teams at GT. Thinking of you today Steve and all the times you made me laugh and smile!

Happy Birthday bro.

One year later. The pain from the loss of my brother, my mentor and my teammate does not subside. He comes to me so often in my dreams, and in my thoughts.

I remember Mr. Pappas as such an uplifting and caring person. He was always willing to lend a hand. My two older sisters and I all started at Deerfield in the same year, and when one of them got lost on the way to her first period class, she walked right into Mr. Pappas knocking down all of his books and papers. When she told him she was lost, he escorted her to her class and somehow obtained her schedule and met her at each class to escort her to the next. That was the type of person Mr. Pappas was, and his legacy reflects that. People like Mr. Pappas never die. He will always be with everyone he touched and more as he lives on in our hearts.

Dear Cathy and the rest of the Pappas Family. I knew Steve during my years at Gordon Tech and after. He was a great coach and teacher and an all around fun loving guy. He will be sorely missed but will never be forgotten. God bless you during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Cathie....Jimmy.....and the rest of the family...

I was Steve's landlady for 12 years but a friend also and he was such a wonderful part of my children's lives as they grew up. He was kind and sensitive and always had a good word about everyone. He always encourged the young people to work hard and study. I am happy to have been able to call him "friend" he truly was a positive role model for so many. Jimmie..it's been a long time since I saw you, but I have wonderful memories of you with your brother. He threw such great parties and always invited me to share in them. I find it hard to believe he is gone. He loved being able to have a yard and enjoy the flowers. I will keep you in my prayers Jimmy...you have lost your entire immediate family since we met. I remember your Mom so well and your Dad. May God bless you always.

Gerri Fraterrigo

Dear Cathie,

I want to extend my sincere condolences to you on Steve's passing. I met you several years ago at a basketball game. My husband, John Nelson, used to coach with Steve at Gordon Tech. He, too, passed away at age 54 almost ten years ago. I remember Steve coming to visit John often in the hospital and then coming to his funeral. He was always so supportive. I can't believe that now he is gone. He was a great guy and I'm so glad you two met, fell in love, and got married. I remember at the basketball game, he came by our seats and looked up at you and said, "She's so cute, isn't she?" I know you completed his life. I will keep you, your father, and Steve in my prayers. I know somewhere up in heaven, John and Steve will soon be coaching together again.

To my sweet and dear cousin, Steve. I will miss seeing you, your beautiful smile and our special emails we sent to one another throughout the school year. It was always special when you would come to visit us in Waukegan, Illinois when my Mom (your Thea Toula) and my sister, cousin-Elaine, would come visit every summer from Des Moines, Iowa. We will always remember the love that our family shared growing up and especially your sweet grandmother, better known as "Nona" (originally from Des Moines, Iowa. I remember so vividly when coming to visit in Chicago and how your Mom ALWAYS baked choclate cup cakes; I remember the fun times when you when you were a little boy, watching the late movie, the late, late movie and the late, late, late movie. We shared such happiness with each and every one of you, Eddie, Hazel, Nancy, Jimmy and you, Steve.



Jim and I are so very proud of your many accomplishments throughout your short life. We loved watching you coach .. you were GREAT!



We know you are truly at peace with our Lord. We will aways love you and you will always be in our hearts and prayers.



May your memory be eternal, Steve.



Love, Ann (Your cousin)

Jimmy, my thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and Steve's wife.

June 12, 2006

I am deeping saddened at the passing of my beloved cousin Steve. Even though we lived miles apart we always stayed in touch. I remember Steve as a young boy, watching basketball on TV with his Uncle Ted, his mom's brother, and writing down all the plays. His home was where we all gathered, cousins and all. Steve always made a point of being home when we visited. His mom and mine were first cousins. After we both lost our parents, Steve commented to me "that we must always keep in touch because we were all we had left." Through e-mail and phone calls and my visits to Chicago we did just that. He has now joined his parents, Eddie & Hazel Pappas and his sister, Nancy. He is survived by his brother Jim and wife Annie, besides his wife and her family. As he was baptized and raised in the Greek Orthodox faith, I had a special prayer service for him in Des Moines at St. George Greek Orthodox Church,where his mom was born and raised. I will miss you my dear cousin Steve. You will always be in my heart. May your memory be eternal.



Love Elaine

I've never met such an amazing person. Mr. Pappas was my teacher for two years. He made a big impact on my life, i will never forget him. Not only did he teach me great literature, but life lessons. I will never forget how strong of a person he was. He went to school everyday hiding his pain and being strong, until the end. Not alot of people can do that. Mrs. Pappas, i am truely sorry for your loss! my deepest sympathy for you and the pappas family. My prayers are with you.

Dear Pappas families:



I remembered Steve from St. Demetrios's basketball teams and being a coach there as well. I met Steve when I was at Mayfair College. He was a very nice individual. Steve's sister Nancy and I were in Sunday school, scouts and other activities together at St. Demetrios'



I was told that Steve was ill but was on the mend. Then several months ago, I was helping a customer at Marshall Fields of Northbrook Court. We started to talk about schools in the areas. She told me her children goes to Deerfield High School. I told her I knew Steve from the old neighborhood. She gave the latest on his condition. She went on to tell me how much of an impact he has had on the students, not just with sports but with everyday life and their future.



I felt bad regarding his condition. I was hoping for him to recover. He will be missed.

I will always cherish my childhood memories of growing up in Chicago, Illinois with my cousins Steve, Nancy & Jimmy. My uncle and aunt (Edward and Hazel Pappas) were always very loving, warm and gracious to everyone. They treated me more like a daughter than a niece. My mother Tula Metropoulos and my Aunt Hazel were sisters. I am the oldest of all the cousins and would always be the baby sitter when Steve, Nancy and Jimmy were growing up. Our families were very loving and close.

I am so proud of Steve and his accomplishments. he had grown to be a wonderful and giving person. His sister Nancy was very special and will be fondly remembered by everyone who knew her. She touched us all. Jimmy is the greatest brother I have ever known and I am very proud of him also.

My deepest sympathy to Jimmy and Annie Pappas who live in Australia. I know he misses everyone here. May you both find strength, in the memories you cherish, and may you find peace. Grief cannot take away the happiness you shared with Steve and your family that sorrow fades in time but their love will remain forever with you both.

On behalf of our families I would like to express my deep gratitude to all of Steve's friends and acquaintances in Chicago who have been so supportive during Steve's illness. He touched many young lives during his coaching and teaching careers.

A special thank you to Peter and Helen Pappas and their family who spent many hours at Steve's hospital bedside. Also to Dr. John Venetos and his wife Stacy who worked endless hours to help Steve. And to Art and Metta Catomer and their family who always help everyone in their time of need.

I truly believe Steve is at peace now. His memory will be cherished forever by everyone who knew him. He touched all of us.

With Love Always your cousin,

Dear Mrs.Pappas,

It is hard to believe that such a fantastic man with such a grand heart and soul has left us. He will be greatly missed by both students and staff. I feel a great sorrow for the future students that will not have the chance to know and learn from him.

I was so saddened to hear of Steve's passing. He was a wonderful human being. I knew him and his family many years ago. His cousin Maria and I have been friends for so long. I remember them all - Steve, Jimmy, Nancy, Aunt Hazel, Uncle Eddie. Many good times were shared with them.



Steve was so loving and caring and gave so much to people. What a wonderful smile!!



He will be missed.



To Jimmy, Steve's wife and all his family my sincere condolences. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.



God Bless You --

I had Mr. Pappas as a teacher my sophomore and junior years at Deerfield. I can remember reading the "Book of Virtues" in his class as well as other books. Now, I have never been much of a reader, but through Mr. Pappas' motivation, I read for his class. He had his own way of showing his students that he cared. Even when I went back after I graduated, he still remembered me and ask how I was doing. He never feigned an interest; he was really interested. The fact that he is gone is a loss to the North Shore, a loss to the faculty at DHS, and a loss to teachers everywhere. There is so much that can be learned from the legacy that he leaves behind. My deepest sympathy goes to Mrs. Pappas and the rest of the Pappas family. May G-d bless him.

I would like to extend my deepest sympathy for the loss of not only an outstanding coach but also a great friend and gentleman. I have known Steve for the past 35 years, first meeting him at the National Greek Tournament where he was an outstanding player and I an official. He will be missed by all who have known him as a player, coach, official, but most importantly as a friend. God Bless You Steve!

Dear Cathie,

My family and I were so saddened to hear of your loss. Reading about your husband, I realize that he must have been quite a man and is leaving behind a wonderful legacy. I hope you will find some comfort in that in the future. We also send our condolences to your dad. You both will be remembered in our prayers.

Nancy Chereso Katich

I remember spending time at the Pappas household at a very young age with my cousin Maria Metropoulos. Maria’s mother, Tula Metropoulos and Steve’s mother Hazel Pappas were sisters. Uncle Eddie and Aunt Hazel had three children Steve, Jimmy and Nancy. Growing up I did not see as much as I would of liked of the Pappas family, but when I did the memories are priceless. Steve’s mom, Aunt Hazel was one of the most kindest ladies that I have known and never had an unkind thing to say or an unkind act toward any other human being. Uncle Eddie was a fun person and always had a smile and a good joke to tell. Both Steve and Jimmy were very handsome young men and Nancy was a great sister to the both of them. I remember Nancy as a very protective sibling where her brothers were concerned.



Steve was the loving son of Edward and Hazel (nee Kakos) Pappas as well as a sincere and kind brother to his sister Nancy (nee Pappas) Elizondo whom have all preceded Steve. Jimmy Pappas, brother to Steve, resides in Australia with his wife Annie, whom I never had an occasion to meet, but have been informed that Annie is a very dear and wonderful lady. My sincere condolences to both Jimmy and his wife. I know how much Jimmy loved his brother and will truly miss him, but I say to you “dear friend” the good memories will prevail and sustain you always. My regards to Peter/Helen Pappas whom spent many hours with Steve during his illness and to all Steve’s friends, extended family and acquaintances whom truly enjoyed his loving and giving attitude towards life. All the young people whom he touched through his academic career or anyone whom enjoyed his loving nature. Lastly, to all the church and school orientated efforts to help Steve with his illness and his loving friend Dr. John Venetos and his wife who pursued desperately with many to make a difference in Steve’s life. I truly believe Steve is in a place where we will meet and be rewarded with the gift that God has promised to all of us.

much love to you and yours.

I will never forget Steve's smile nor the many hugs that Cathie and he shared with others. We will forever feel his presence.

Steve was a wonderful man and we are so blessed to have known him. He will forever be in our hearts. We thank him for the kindness and compassion he shared so freely. He was a great mentor to many.

I have known steve through greek basketball in the 70's his talent as a coach and a player was only surpassed by his humility and humor. you will be missed our prayers are with you and your family



george kollias and family

Steve Pappas made his own mark after following Dick Versace and Bob Ociepka at Gordon....He pumped new life into Deerfield as well....He's in everybody's Top Ten prep coaches....R.J. Bendig, Niles

Mr.Pappas was my teacher for 2 years at DHS. I have admired him from the minute he walked in the classroom on the first day. I've looked up to him not only as a teacher but as a person. He has helped me learn more about myself than any other teacher and I thank him for that. The last conversation I had with him has made a big impact in my life. I will miss him.

I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS LITTLE MY FATHER WOULD BRING STEVE,NANCY AND JIMMY'S FATHER EDDIE OVER TO OUR HOUSE FOR DINNER IN THE 60'S. MY MOM RECALLS THE OLD BARRY LOUNGE THAT EDDIE OWNED. THATS HOW FAR BACK MY FAMILY GOES WITH THE PAPPAS FAMILY. WHEN ATTENDING THE EVENT AT ST.DEMETRIOS MAY 19th AND SEEING STEVE, THE FIRST THING HE SAID IS "OH NO ITS SILAS DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH HISTORY OUR FAMILIES HAVE? STEVE ALWAYS USED TO JOKE AROUND AND SAY, ARE YOU RELATED TO THE BOSTON CELTICS PAUL SILAS. WE CAN'T SAY IN ONE SENTENCE, ONE HOUR, OR ONE DAY HOW MY FAMILY FEELS ABOUT STEVE.

ALL WE CAN SAY IS THANK YOU!!!

THE SILAS

FAMILY

Coach Pappas was more than a phenomenal basketball coach, he has made a tremendous positive impact in my life. With some personal family issues in my 3rd year at Michigan State; Coach was there to listen, advise, and direct me during those rough times. He even made weekly phone calls to check on me. During this time he became a father figure in my eyes.



My condolences to Cathie and the entire Pappas family.

Dear Cathie,

There really are no words adequate to describe my sorrow at your loss. Know that you are remembered in my daily prayers and reflections.

I looked upto Coach Pappas from the time I was in 4th grade summer camp through the Class AA State Finals at Gordon. Now I'll be looking up every now and then talking to Coach Pappas in heaven. I know that he'd be smiling down at me today and I loved the man (and coach) that he was.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May his memory be eternal.

Dear family and friends of Steve, What a terrible blow to hear of his passing. There will never be anyone like him. He was a stand up, Class A person, terrific coach and excellent teacher. I was a student of Coach Pappas' over 20 years ago at Gordon Tech, although never involved in basketball, saw the passion he had for the sport and learned a lot in his English class. He will never be forgotten by anyone who ever knew him. I am sincerely sorry for your loss of such a sensational human bening.