Lou E Tsipis

Lou E. Tsipis (Born October 22, 1935 – Passed February 17, 2023)

Born in 1935 in Athens, Greece, Lou excelled at basketball from an early age being selected as a member of Greek National Basketball Team at the age of 15 (youngest player ever). In 1954, he earned a Bronze Medal at the European Basketball Championships in Paris, France. At age 16, he came to the United States (Cleveland, OH) with his mother (Martha) and brother (Peter). He attended high school at St. John Cantius (Cleveland) and went on to attend Baldwin Wallace College on a full basketball scholarship. A dedicated teacher and high school basketball coach for 10 years, he went on to work for the Cleveland Metroparks for the next 25 years rising from Supervisor of Water Safety to Chief of Park Rangers to ultimately serving as the Executive Director for 10 years before retiring in 1988. He served as a basketball, volleyball, and softball official for nearly 50 years, frequently being the host selected to officiate state tournaments.

He was married to the love of his life Marilyn Naughton for 55 years. Lou is survived by his 5 children Dean Tsipis (Teresa), Jeff Tsipis (Gayle), LuAnn Damiris (George), Lisa Bultman (David), and Jonathan Tsipis (Leigh). Lou had 13 grandchildren - John, Megan, Amanda, Nicholas, Rachel, Kelsey, Ian, Hannah, Sam, Brooke, Brynne, Emily, and Joshua. He also had 13 great-grandchildren – Paige, Blair, Sophia, George, Quinn, William, Jordan, Zoe, Caroline, Theodore, Logan, Medora, and Murphy.

He was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn; father and mother, Constantine and Martha; brother, Peter; and great-granddaughter, Blair.

Lou loved spending time at and boasting about his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren’s activities. He was an active member of St. Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church, Greek festival volunteer, and he started a college scholarship program for the AHEPA. He has been inducted into three different Hall of Fames (AHEPA, NHIBT and Cleveland Central Catholic High School). He was extremely proud of his Greek heritage, his extended family abroad, and being the host and American father of visiting Greek basketball coaches for both the University of North Carolina and Duke University.

At Lou’s request no funeral service will be held. A celebration of life will be planned in the future.

Lou impacted many people in many different ways. His family appreciates all prayers and support.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the AHEPA Scholarship Fund at St. Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church via this link,https://www.stbarbarachurchnc.org/news_130411_3   Click on Donations.  Please enter Lou E. Tsipis as name of deceased following the * on the memorial gift line. Or you can mail to:

St. Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church

8306 NC Highway 751

Durham, NC 27713-6860