Gus Chafos

With sadness we announce the passing of our father, grandfather, brother, and friend Gus Chafos on February 12th, 2024.

Gus Andrew Chafos was born Sept. 8. 1940 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester to Andrew K. and Margarite Chafos; he was baptized Constantine Andrew Chafos.

Gus graduated from Rochester High School in 1958. He served in the Minnesota Army National Guard from 1962 to 1968 and earned a bachelor's degree from Winona State College in 1965. He married Rosemary Langowski; they had three boys together and later divorced. He married Kathleen Dittrich on New Year's Eve-December 31st, 1995.

Gus started his working life at his father's Boston Shoe Repair. After attaining his degree in Elementary Education, he taught fourth and fifth grade in St. Paul Park. Gus then moved into a long career in sales, first working for three different pharmaceutical companies-and then for Moore Business Forms from 1971 until 1994-when he moved to American Business Forms. He designed and sold business forms until 2019. In 1994, Gus purchased Otto's Pub (previously the Hollywood Bar) in partnership with his wife Kathy and brother Pete, working hard to maintain the tradition of live music and make Kathy's Pub a success. When Gus sold the bar, the new owners kept Kathy's name-a reflection of goodwill and appeal the establishment had engendered.

Gus was a lifelong member of the Holy Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church in Rochester, preparing souvlakia and Greek salad for the annual Greek Festival many years. He held several positions in the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA). He was a dedicated supporter of youth sports as a T-ball coach for his boys and a member of the Rochester Youth Baseball Association board for many years. Gus enjoyed playing pool in several leagues and was an avid woodcarver-creating birds and other animals while passing time indoors during Minnesota winters. Gus was a member of American Legion Post 92.

A loving son and dedicated father, Gus was proud of his Greek heritage, quietly patriotic, a native son of Rochester, and Minnesotan to the core. He was at his best and happiest chatting with people-whether on a baseball field, at Kathy's, or meeting with customers. He was an avid sports fan and committed "homer"-devoted to his Vikings, Twins, and Gophers while often bemoaning their decisions and results.

Survivors include his sons Timothy Andrew Chafos (Cheryl) of Clarksville, Md.; Matthew Andrew Chafos (Jennifer) of Nevis, Minn.; and Samuel Andrew Chafos (Chad Trewick) of Minneapolis; his grandchildren Andrew, Anthony, Christopher, Micah, and Madelynn Chafos; and his brother Peter (Angie) of Rochester.

Gus was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Kathy; his sisters Kal (Stanley), Andi (Pathoulas), and Nikki (Stephanopoulos); and his grandson Zachary Chafos.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at Holy Anargyroi Sts. Kosmas and Damianos Orthodox Church, 703 W Center St, Rochester, MN 55902. Visition will be held from 4-7pm on Monday, February 19, 2024 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Trisagion prayer service will start at 6PM. A second visitation will start at 10:00am at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.