Panagiotis "Pete" Babaniotis

Obituary of Panagiotis "Pete" Babaniotis
Panagiotis "Pete" Babaniotis, age 82, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on May 12, 1943, in Karistos, Evia, Greece, Pete was raised in the small village of Lala, where he attended school and helped his father on the family farm. From a young age, he displayed a remarkable work ethic-beginning at age 14, when he helped local fishermen catch bait to sell in town.
Pete proudly served in the Hellenic Navy from 1961-1962 and later continued working aboard various naval vessels as a chef's assistant. During his years at sea, he traveled the world and often shared stories of his voyages to Japan, Portugal, Germany, and the United States. It was aboard these ships that Pete developed a deep passion for cooking, learning the skills of food preparation, sanitation, and large-scale meal service. His dedication and talent soon earned him a promotion to head chef.
In 1965, Pete immigrated to the United States after disembarking from the Hellenic Greek Navy vessel Hyperion in New Orleans, LA, where he was employed. Continuing his passion for food, he devoted himself to learning every aspect of the restaurant business, working tirelessly in various roles across Detroit and Chicago which eventually became his home. Through persistence and determination, he honed his craft, saved his earnings, and educated himself on running a successful establishment.
In 1966, Pete married the love of his life, Mary (née Lapsas) Babaniotis, and together they raised two daughters.
In 1973, Pete and his two brothers opened Baba's Restaurant in Shorewood, Illinois. Over the next 37 years, Baba's became a beloved community gathering place, known for hearty meals, friendly service, and Pete's signature hospitality. It became a staple in Shorewood, IL often welcoming tour buses from downstate year after year. He greeted everyone with a warm smile, a kind word, and often a cup of coffee. Pete took pride in employing hundreds of people throughout the years-especially helping fellow immigrants get their start and build a better life.
His entrepreneurial spirit continued as he and his brothers opened Ali Baba's Inn in 1978, followed by Baba's II in Dwight, Illinois, in 1981.
Pete was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, a proud business owner, and an active member of his church and Greek community. He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and love for family, faith, and the American dream that he worked so hard to achieve.
Pete is preceded in death by his wife Mary Babaniotis (nee Lapsas) parents, Dimitrios Babaniotis and Stamatina Babaniotis (nee Kounelis) siblings; Athanasios Tzanavaris, Maria Tzanavaris (nee Tigkelis), and Anastasios "Tom" Babaniotis.
He is survived by his daughters Aristea Halas (Panagiotis) and Tina Zubel (Matthew), his grandchildren, Sophia Orfanos, Dimitri Halas, Ava Zubel and Andrew Zubel and great-grandchildren, Leonidas Orfanos and Aria Halas, his brother Christos Babaniotis, 3 sisters; Kontilia Stabelou, Anna Zimaris, Popi Lambropoulou; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions in Pete's name can be made to
Visitation for Pete Babaniotis will be Sunday, November 2, 2025 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. with Trisagion services at 4:00 p.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home 3200 Black Rd (at Essington Rd) Joliet. Visitation will resume Monday morning, November 3, 2025 at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 102 N. Broadway St. Joliet from 9:30 a.m. until services begin at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
For more information please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.