Peter Vergados

Our beloved Dad, Peter (Panagioti) Vergados passed away peacefully on November 19, 2025 at the age of 94 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Angeliki (Tsipouras) Vergados. Papou lead a blessed and inspirational life. He was born in Agorgiani, Laconia, Greece and was the son of the late Vasilios and Pangiota (Papadopoulos) Vergados.

His early years were difficult, shaped by the death of his brothers during the WW2 German occupation of Greece. Recalling the tremendous sadness these losses brought helped shape his strength, goodness, and love that defined him.

He left Greece in the 1950's and traveled to the United States where he began his American dream in Chicago. He started working in factories and then moved on to be a dishwasher where he decided to pursue his journey as a restaurant owner, not only in Chicago, but in Des Plaines, Palatine, and Fox River Grove. During this time, he wed his beloved Angeliki, to be married for 38 years. He tragically lost his beloved life partner in 2008 in Greece. Together, they owned the infamous Donkey Inn of Palatine, a wonderful period in their lives full of joy, fun and serving Angeliki's delicious food. He raised his daughters in the restaurant business as they all worked hard, side by side passing on his tenacious work ethic.

Papou was known as the life of the party and had an everlasting zest for life. He was the first to the dance floor with a drink in hand, lighting up every party and treated everyday as a celebration. He never met a stranger. He was known by his grandchildren for his countless ice cream trips, never saying no to a vanilla sundae with chocolate sauce. His sharp wit and vibrant love for life and his family shaped him into the loving and genuine man he was.

Peter is survived by his loving daughters Patty Nuccio and her husband Joe, and Joanne Kalogerakos and her husband Peter; his loving grandchildren Angela De Luca and her husband Mike De Luca, Gianna, Joey, Peter Nuccio and Yianni and Angelo Kalogerakos.

Visitation Wednesday November 26, 9:30am at St Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church, 133 S Roselle Rd, Palatine, IL. Funeral Service to follow at 10:30am. Burial at St Michael the Archangel Cemetery, 1185 Algonquin Rd, Palatine, IL.

Illinois arrangements by Memory Eternal Funeral Directors, LTD. 847-375-0095