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Laskaris, Demetrios N., May 11, 1937 November 27, 2003 (66 years). Demetrios (Jim) Laskaris was born in 1937 in Katsarou, Messinias, Greece. He immigrated from Greece at the age of 13 to provide for his family and to pursue "the American dream." He arrived in New York in 1951 as a displaced person. He received his degree from technical school in Flint, Michigan. In 1956 he began his four year tour of service with the U.S. Navy. He later owned and operated small fast food stands in Chicago, IL with his wife, Fotoula. He later made a fortuitous move to Wisconsin Dells, WI, where he and his wife and family began a go-cart amusement park. Jim Laskaris fulfilled his "American dream", because he owned and operated one of the largest Go Kart and Roller Coaster parks in America. His children now continue his legacy. Jim's philanthropy extends to the Holy Trinity Monastery in Meteora, Greece, his parish in Katsarou, Greece, and to the Greek Orthodox Churches in Boca Raton, FL, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Rochester, MN, Madison, WI and Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Hellenic College/Holy Cross in Boston, Massachusetts. He served on his parish council and on numerous committees, including Growth and Planning, Finance and Building, and has chaired the Festival Committee for several years. He was honored for devotion to church and community with the Offikion Archon Ostiarios in 1996 from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Mr. Laskaris also served his community in Wisconsin Dells as an alderman for several terms. Mr. Laskaris is survived by his wife Fotoula (63) and their two children and 4 grandchildren. He leaves behind a son, businessman Nickolaos Demetrios (37) and his wife Evangelia and their children Fotini (6) and Maria (4); and his daughter, attorney, Penelope Laskaris-Rokanas (36), and her husband Dr. Nicholaos Rokanas, and their children Lila (3) and George (2 months). Jim Laskaris is also survived by his mother Nikoletta, of Greece, and four brothers and four sisters along with several nieces and nephews; his brothers are Vasilios and Stephanos and his sisters are Dina Vamvoli and Georgia Arhos. His wake is from 5-9PM on Sunday, November 30, 2003 at the St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton. The Trisagion service is at 8:00PM. His funeral Liturgy is at 12 noon on December 1, 2003 at St. Mark. Babione Funeral Home East Chapel 561-395-8787 is in charge of arrangements.
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Published in Sun-Sentinel on Nov. 30, 2003
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