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Frank Pappas
1925 - 2015Frank Pappas born in Detroit, Michigan on
January 7, 1925 to Jack & Florence (Buvia) Pappas
passed away at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital
in Petoskey on November 8, 2015.
The same year Frank was born; his family moved to Cheboygan and
opened the Carnation Restaurant. Jack, his father, and uncles’ Ernie and
Tom successfully ran the restaurant until the mid-1960s when his brother
and sisters took over and completed the long journey,
Frank served in the United States Army during WWII and then returned to
continue in his father’s footsteps in the family business. Frank spoke
most often of his time in Gnome, Alaska and Fort Robinson, Nebraska.
He was part of the Equine Division, which cared for the famous horse,
Seabiscuit.
Frank met the love of his life, Betty Brothers, while in the service in
Oklahoma, They married on January 9th, 1950 in his parent’s apartment
located over the Carnation Restaurant.
In 1979, Frank, Betty and their son, Jack, purchased the Pierre Room,
renaming it Pappas’ Restaurant. They operated the restaurant until 2005.
Frank was a member of the Democratic Party, strong supporter of
Michigan State. He was a proud member of the infamous “Round Table”
at Pappas’ Restaurant where many stories, business dealings, and lifelong
friendships were formed.
Frank is survived by daughter Nicki Vartanian, Travis Vartanian and
wife (Paige) and great-granddaughter Finley Vartanian, son Jack (Kim)
Pappas, grandchildren Daniel (DJ) and Marika Pappas; daughter Julie
(Jeff) Brown, grandchildren, Jordan Brown, Erica (Chris) Lentz, and
great-grandchildren, Braden, Bella, Sophie. He is also survived by many
nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife Betty, parents and siblings,
Pat Woods, Evelyn Anderson, Helen Young & Tom Pappas.
Frank’s hobbies were making a good deal and his love of harness racing.
The Cheboygan community could always count on an awesome bowl of
homemade soup or one of Frank’s daily specials and a magical story at
the round table each noon. He touched so many lives over the years and
always had kind words to say. He will be greatly missed by family and
friends,
Be assured that court is back in session at the “Round Table”! And in his
own words……… Chow!
A memorial gathering will take place on Saturday, November 28, 2015
from 1:00 ~ 4:00 pm at Mulligan’s Restaurant.In licu of flowers,
memorial contributions may be directed to The Brook Retirement of
Cheboygan for the Memorial Gardens, 11965 Townline Road, Cheboygan,
Michigan 49721.
We would thank the staff of McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital and
Dr. Bacon,
Cremation has taken place at Northern Michigan Crematory in Cheboygan.
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