Theodoros “Ted” Anastasopoulos

Theodoros “Ted” Anastasopoulos, born in Tripolis, Arcadia, Greece on February 10, 1944 to Grigorios and Marika Tsoukalas Anastasopoulos, died peacefully on February 28, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah — on his name day, which celebrates his patron saint, St. Theodore. It was, in the most Ted way possible, an exit with impeccable timing.

Known by those who loved him as “Teddy,” he was a one-of-a-kind man whose quick wit, exceptional cooking, and open-door generosity made him unforgettable. A fiercely loyal uncle, Ted never hesitated to host dinners, bake his much-lauded galaktoboureko, and dispense wise words about life, love, and being true to yourself above all else — whether you asked for them or not.

Ted completed his grammar and secondary schooling in Tripolis, where he was, by all accounts, already a handful. Local legend — and family lore — holds that a young Teddy once liberated a donkey from its post and treated himself to an unauthorized joyride through the streets of Tripolis. Whether the donkey enjoyed the outing remains unconfirmed, but the townspeople certainly had something to talk about. It was an early preview of a man who would spend the rest of his life making people laugh, shake their heads, and love him all at once.

After graduating from an electrical trade school in Tripolis in 1962, Ted served his country with pride in the Greek Air Force. He then worked as an electrician in Athens before deciding to make his way to Salt Lake City in 1972 to join his brother in pursuit of the ever elusive American dream. He would plant his roots and build a life that touched more people than he probably ever realized. He worked for the Trane Company before ultimately following his true calling into the food and beverage industry, where he found his stride. He brought his talent and warmth to the Holiday Inn in both Van Nuys, California and Salt Lake City, and later to the University of Utah Hospital — feeding people, in every sense of the word.

Ted had a gift for catchphrases that rivaled most sit-coms. His collection of funny sayings, offbeat observations, and signature personality quirks were so distinctly him that they will be quoted — and laughed about — for generations to come. You know the ones. And if you were lucky enough to know Ted, you’re smiling right now thinking of them.

Ted made a special place in his heart for his four legged friends. Owning numerous dogs throughout his life, he always took pride in them and the discipline they showed due to his tough-love training. Underneath the austere exterior was a warm and fuzzy lover of animals that shined through when he thought no one was looking. 

What made Ted especially remarkable was his effortless ability to bridge generations. The younger people in his community didn’t just respect him — they claimed him as one of their own. He was ribbed, teased, and roasted with the kind of familiarity usually reserved for a peer, and he gave it right back with equal enthusiasm. He was the rare adult who could genuinely hang, and the younger crowd adored him for it. He also gave countless hours of his time to enrich the youth of the community by spreading his knowledge and joy of Greek dance and often taught at Salt Lake’s “The Athenian” Greek dinner club. To know Ted was to be welcomed into an ongoing comedy, and he was always the best sport in the room.

He also had a legendary soft spot for his nephews, showing up with the latest toys and gadgets like a one-man gift parade. Doting wasn’t just something Ted did — it was practically a spiritual practice for him.

Ted is survived by his brother George (Karen); sister Iolandi Patoulas (Chrysostomos); niece Konstantia Patoulas; nephews Grigori (Eleni) Patoulas, Gregory (Athanasia) Anastasopoulos, and Apostoli (Sara) Anastasopoulos; grand-nephews George Anastasopoulos and Dimitri Anastasopoulos; and many beloved cousins in Greece.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Foteini.

Friends and family are warmly invited to gather and share their stories — and there are many — at a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Guests are encouraged to use the north side of the building.

Donations may be given in his memory to your favorite charity.

Αιωνία η μνήμη — May his memory be eternal.