Visitation
Wednesday (4/5)  4 PM - 8 PM
* Complimentary Valet Parking Available *

Funeral Service
Thursday (4/6) 11 AM @ Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church

Cemetery
Saint Peter's Cemetery (Staten Island, NY)

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IN LIEU OF FLOWERS - Donations may be made to Holy Cross Brooklyn Outreach Center, https://www.hcboc.org/

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Dionysios "Dennis" Vallianatos passed away in his home, at age 90, on March 31, 2023, with his loving family by his side. He is survived by his loyal wife and devoted caregiver of over 52 years, Maria "Marigoula" Vallianatos, née Lambrou, his dedicated daughters, Dr. Agathi Vallianatos of Brooklyn, NY and Artemis Vallianatos of Glen Ridge, NJ, and his three beloved grandchildren, Dionys, Theodore, and Athena.

In Athens, Karpathos, Patras, New York, Pennsylvania and Montreal, he is survived by many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins, and their families. He was especially close to, and proud of, his nephew, Christopher, through whom the Vallianatos family's maritime legacy in Greece continues.

The Early Years

The second of 5 surviving children—and oldest surviving member of his immediate family— Dennis was born in 1933 in the village of Farsa on the island of Kefallonia, Greece to Agathi Vallianatos, née Voutsinas/Grigoratos, and captain Christopher Vallianatos, son of naval officer Nikolaos, who was son of captain Evangelos Vallianatos.

In his formative years, Dennis experienced first-hand the WWII occupation of his homeland by the Italian army, followed by Nazi forces. During this time, he suffered poverty, famine and the loss of family members, including his baby sister Angelika, who died in his 10-year-old arms. Ever resilient, he was nicknamed «καρβελοφονιάς» (loaf assassin) for his obsession with his mother's bread, and "diavolo" for beating up an Italian soldier in fearless defense of his family and their source of food. Dennis told the story of how his family befriended that same soldier, saved him from the Nazis, and helped him escape home to Brindisi, where he became the head of the local bank. Later, Dennis sailed to Brindisi for work and was welcomed into the soldier's home, introduced as "this… this is my diavolo."

Dennis was at the top of his class at school, showing an acumen for mathematics and history, and an astounding memory for detail. As part of the responsibility he assumed for his family's survival, he abandoned his studies at age 11 in order to work. He started out as τζόβενο (giovene or deck boy) on family merchant vessels and rose quickly to λοστρόμο (boatswain)—the highest possible rank without a secondary education.

In 1953, his family home in Farsa was leveled by a catastrophic earthquake. Dennis stayed at sea to work and resettle his family in the city of Patras. To do so, he deferred military service for as long as possible. Actively avoiding Greek ports, he travelled on the bulk carriers and tankers of Vergottis to/from Argentina (learning Spanish, Tango and Paso Doble), Japan (learning fluent Japanese), Egypt, Philippines, Russia, Scandinavia and the Caribbean. He was proficient in 7 languages.

In 1958, while serving on a vessel that was rerouted through Crete, he was drafted into the Greek Navy. There, he earned the nickname of «γέρο» (old man), as he was the only 25 year old among teenagers. Three months later, acknowledged for his work ethic, trustworthy nature, and substantial maritime experience, he was stationed in Corfu and assigned to Prince Constantine, escorting royalty and their guests to/from the Acheillion summer palace, operating the King's war-navy speedboat. As they became acquainted, the prince took notice of Dennis' cigarettes, surprised to see the sticker—2 drachma/pack and cheapest on the market. When Dennis moved on to Coast Guard service at Piraeus Port, the future King Constantine II sent him a box of Davidoff cigarettes from Geneva, with a thank you note. Dennis sold off the cigarettes to send home as much money as possible.

Upon Dennis' discharge from the Navy, 2 years later, the Patras Harbor Master Melentis arranged for a celebratory send-off, complete with live music from the Patras Philharmonic Orchestra. That same day, Dennis left for work on a tanker headed for Kobe, Japan.

Dennis worked as a seafarer until age 36, devouring any book he could get his hands on. He educated himself in world history with a special interest in WWII, funded his sisters' dowries and his parents' retirement, and financially supported each family member through every stage of their life.

A New Life in America

In 1969, he jumped ship in New York to start a new life in America. He settled in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, initially working as a day laborer, painter and handyman.

Dennis left for work at the crack of dawn every day. He often noticed a woman with flaming red hair at her window, across the street. He thought she must be German or Irish; at the time, Sunset Park was a European melting pot. Thinking there might be a language barrier, he decided not to approach her.

In the summer of 1970, mutual friends (Zoe and Gregory Kossaris) introduced Dennis to Marigoula at their diner. The first "date" involved an ice cream cone on the Coney Island boardwalk. Dennis asked his future wife: "Would you like to build an estate with me?" Thankfully, Marigoula agreed. They were married by October. In April of 1974, he bought a house in Bay Ridge, walking distance from a good public school. He moved his wife and two girls there, focused on paying off the house as quickly as possible, and resided there until his passing.

On a day-laboring route, Dennis met Mr. Gutman, a Hungarian immigrant and holocaust survivor, who became his mentor. Dennis told the story of a very pregnant Borough Park client who, distressed, asked him to switch the baby room color to blue, one day after he had painted it pink. He repainted the room that same night and refused payment. The rumor of this act of kindness spread. From that moment forward, Dennis had too many referrals to serve, and never needed to hustle for work again.

Through Mr. Gutman, Dennis became a trusted painter and contractor for Kay Management and other Borough Park-based companies who managed large building complexes, primarily on Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene. When he retired, Mr. Gutman passed his clients on to Dennis. "Dennis the painter", as he was known, worked throughout Brooklyn and Nassau County. He employed many new immigrants from Ecuador and Mexico. Paying Mr. Gutman's kindness forward, Dennis enabled his workers (Rafael and Willy) to branch off and start their own businesses.

At first, Maria wrote out Dennis' bills to clients by hand. In 1980, Dennis enlisted his daughter, Artemis, as his secretary, buying her a fancy typewriter (Smith Corona Sterling Electronic). Artemis continued typing invoices, debating the correct spelling of sheetrock vs. sintrak (among other words and formats), and helping to balance the books, until he retired in 1997.

Dennis' absolute top priority was his daughters' education. While in Brooklyn, they attended P.S. 104, The Greek School of Plato, and Fontbonne Hall Academy. With his prodding, they both completed graduate education and training in their respective fields—pediatrics and business. As an over-protective father, he was deeply uncomfortable when Agathi flew the nest for schooling in Ithaca, Boston, Tel Aviv, and Philadelphia, and when Artemis moved to Manhattan, but never once wavered in his support. As he hung each new degree over the piano, he encouraged humility— "don't fly too close to the sun"—while secretly expressing his pride to his closest friends.

Maria and her loyal sisters, Lela Antoniou and Anitsa Stavraki, née Lambrou, helped Dennis build a homestead in his wife's hometown, Pigadia. Saving and sending small amounts, one tile at a time, Dennis leaves behind one apartment for each of his children and grandchildren in Karpathos.

In his free time, Dennis liked to read books in Greek. When his daughters travelled to Greece as adults, they would return with entire suitcases of books for him to devour. He especially enjoyed Agathi's tiramisu, Maria's soups, country bread (his mother's recipe), and lamb yuvetsi, Artemis' lasagna, Löwenbräu beer, Metaxa 7-star brandy, Kent cigarettes, "All in the Family", Saturday morning shopping for crates of fruit and vegetables at "Poor People's Friend" on 13th Avenue, pastrami and prosciutto bread from Cangiano's on 3rd Avenue. Aside from reading books, his favorite pastime was playing backgammon with his friends and teaching game strategy to Agathi. He loved singing καντάδες and reminiscing with his cousins in Bethlehem, PA on Easter.

Continuing His Journey

During retirement, he held court at Amalia Restaurant on 4th Avenue in Bay Ridge, where a group of retired men would gather to hear his scholarly monologues. He enjoyed backyard talks with his loyal and helpful friends, especially Billy Vrakas and Andy Lee. He spent time on the front stoop (sneaking cigarettes) and talking with neighbors. He took his beloved Shusha (Agathi's Israeli rescue dog) for walks. Dennis told stories to his long-time home health aide, Paulette Clarke, who cared for him, lovingly, until his last day and whom he greatly respected. Most of all, he spent time in his room reading books and more books, insatiably, until just two months before his passing.

Dennis became a proud grandfather in late 2009 (Dionys and Theo) and in 2011 (Athena). This was not soon enough for a man who loved children, so he also served as a grandfather-figure in the neighborhood. He had soft spots for Maria Sefakakis, Nicholas Monioudis, and Vanessa and Christopher Lee. Over the years, he stayed abreast of their progress at school, and regaled them with parabolic stories of his childhood. He adored his grandchildren; they could do no wrong. Dennis' entire being lit up whenever Dionys (his namesake) and Athena (his "very best girl") visited, and he was especially close to, Theo, who feels his absence most palpably, having spent most school day afternoons in his grandfather's presence.

We will all miss his riveting stories. Like no other, he was able to depict a full picture, complete with vivid images, emotion, suspense, and life lessons. His personal stories were infused with relevant facts about the war, its effect on common people, socioeconomic conditions, and Kefallonian/Greek culture. We have no doubt that, had he been able to write these stories down, in his own voice, he would've been an award-winning author.

Fair Winds and Following Seas

In his last days, he repeatedly urged his daughters to take care of their mother and his grandchildren. His passing naturally leaves a painful void in our lives. We are grateful for his long, rich life, and that he passed away in his home, exactly as he wanted. We know in our hearts that a piece of him survives in everyone he touched, helped, and influenced. This gives us great solace.

"The death of anyone close to us is always a form of salutation, a simultaneous good-bye to their physical presence and a deep hello to a more intimate imaginal relationship now beginning to form in their absence." ~ David Whyte