Nikitas "Nick" Tripodes, 61, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2017 at his home in South Pasadena surrounded by his family.

Nick was born in Alhambra on January 13, 1956 to Jack and Mary Tripodes, both Greek immigrants who had moved to California after starting their family in Cleveland. By far the youngest of his siblings and cousins, Nick was deeply loved by his extended family. The adoration was mutual and Nick developed a lifelong commitment to his family as well as to the larger Greek–American community. He was active in numerous organizations, including Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church, AHEPA, the Greek Heritage Society of Southern California, and the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood, a fraternal organization of Greeks from his ancestral island of Icaria.

Nick lived his whole life in South Pasadena and he had fond childhood memories of attending Saturday matinees at the Rialto, graduating from South Pasadena High School, and working during summers at Gus's BBQ, the family's business.

He graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in anthropology and he later attended the university's School of Dentistry. Nick established his dental practice in Pasadena where he took great pride in the care he provided to his patients throughout his 36-year-long career. He will be remembered by his patients, many of whom became lifelong friends, for his sense of humor, positive attitude, and gentle technique.

Nick met his wife, Dena, while both were serving on the parish board of Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Pasadena. Nick and Dena were married in 1987. They purchased their home in South Pasadena adjacent to Nick's childhood home where his parents continued to live.

Nick was incredibly active in the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood where he was a lifelong member, an active officer of his local chapter, and a delegate to many of the annual conventions. He eventually became a board member of the Brotherhood's charitable organization, the Pan-Icarian Foundation, and was elected Foundation Chairman in 2014.

Nick was a deeply devoted father and cherished the time he spent with his family. He especially loved spending long weekends and vacations in Santa Barbara, which he considered his second home. He cultivated an appreciation for locally-sourced food and was a staple of Saturday farmers' markets in both Santa Barbara and Pasadena.

Nick is survived by his bride of almost 30 years, Dena; his children Zacharias, Marika, and Georgia; his sister Virginia Lappas and her family; his brother Peter; and many aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The Trisagion (memorial) service will be held at Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Pasadena on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at 7:00 PM. The funeral service will begin at the same location on Friday, June 9, 2017 at 11:00 AM.

Donations in memory of Nick can be made to any of the following: Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund, the Pan-Icarian Foundation (pan-icarian.com/foundation), the Greek Heritage Society of Southern California (greekheritagesociety.org), or City of Hope (cityofhope.org).

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com .

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