Michael Louis Pappas

PAPPAS, Michael Louis, born December 25, 1922, in Tampa, patriarch of the inter-nationally known Louis Pappas Restaurant family, died May 8, 2009, at his home in Tarpon Springs, Fla. Michael was the eldest son of Louis Pappas, who created the famous Greek salad, and opened the first Riverside Cafe in Tarpon Springs in 1925. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. After his release, he joined his father in the restaurant business, and also became a very successful land developer. Michael and his brothers also opened Pappas Restaurants in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Tampa. He was a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral and a benefactor of the Pappas-Spanos Greek Community Center for the cathedral. He was preceded in death by his first beloved grandson, Nicholas Karaphillis, and is survived by his beloved wife, Maria; daughter, Constance Pappas; son, Michael Louis Pappas Jr. and his wife, Paula; and grandsons, Michael Louis Pappas III and Michael Constantine Karaphillis. He is also survived by his brothers, Lucas and Jack Pappas, and sisters, Bertha Houllis and Nina Gray. There will be a visitation at 6 p.m. Monday, May 11, 2009, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. The funeral will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Contributions may be made to Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. Dobies Funeral Home Tarpon (727) 942-0515