Dean K. Matsas

Dean K. Matsas, ("Epameinondas"), 94, of Dania Beach, Florida, formerly of Elmhurst, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 with his family in Florida. A lifetime restaurant owner, Dean was affectionately known as "Papou Nonda". Dean grew up in a Greek village in the mountains on the Albanian side of the Greek-Albanian border and immigrated to the United States in 1958 seeking the "American Dream". While raising his children in Elmhurst, IL, he was an active member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. Dean enjoyed travelling to his home in Athens, Greece and visiting his birthplace village of "Tsiatisa". Beloved husband of Demetra (nee Tamvakis); loving father of Constantine (Marie), Efstratios "Strat", Efthimia "Effie" (Anthony) Quaranta, Helen Brewer, and the late Efthimia Matsas. Proud grandfather, he loved all his grandchildren and cherished his role as the grandfather of Michael, John Dean, Scott, Graham, James, Finley, Nicholas, Andrew, Stefanie, Christopher, Timothy, Anthony Dean, Niko, Mia, Antonia, and Charlie; Dean was preceded in death by 11 siblings and is the fond uncle of many nieces and nephews. Visitation Wednesday, December 7 from 3:00pm to 9:00pm at Pedersen Ryberg Funeral Home 435 N. York St., Elmhurst. Family and friends will meet Thursday at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church 893 Church Rd., Elmhurst for funeral services at 11:00am. Interment Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org in honor of his beloved wife, Demetra, who continues to battle the disease, are appreciated. Info (630)834-1133 or www.pedersenryberg.com