Mychal P. (Mike) Angelos passed away on Thursday, August 12, 2021, surrounded by his family. Adored husband of the late Dorothy Angelos, dear step-father to Nancy (Bruce) Tepper, cherished uncle to James (Stacey) Toscas, Paula (Andrew) Pappas, Margo Toscas, Pamela Toscas, Angela (Daniel) Gordon and Michelle Toscas, great uncle to George, Pericles, Mariana, Krystina, Wesley, Sophia, and George. He was preceded in death by his sister Merry (George) Toscas, brother Angelo Angelos, and his parents Pauline and Peter Angelos. He was loved, admired and respected, served as Godfather to more than a dozen people, escorted many brides down the aisle and acted as Best Man in countless marriages. He was indeed the best of men.
Mike grew up on the southwest side of Chicago and was known for his studiousness, sense of humor, vivacious personality and extraordinary memory and discipline. From the age of 4 he would recite complex poems before the Greek community, and he carried this love of poetry and ability to recite throughout his life, often bursting into relevant verse from Milton to one of his favorites, Emily Dickinson, at opportune moments. He served in the U.S. Navy, attended Loyola University, and earned his law degree at The University of Chicago, where he was the youngest graduate in the school’s history. He and his late brother Angelo established a successful law practice that Mike carried on for nearly fifty years after Angelo’s untimely passing. He began managing his father’s real estate holdings at age 16, and subsequently became an astute investor in his own right.
From daily, early morning swims at the Illinois Athletic Club, where he collected eight 100 mile/year trophies, and learning to fly to more easily commute to his favorite summer home in Winthrop Harbor, to being a life-long patron of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric of Chicago and Santa Fe Operas, and Stratford Festival, Mike was a true Renaissance Man.
He was an avid learner and would speak expertly on any topic from Art and Music to History, Religion and Philosophy and was resolute in encouraging those around him to read, learn, and through this, live. He took joy in everything from Homer to The Far Side. In his sixties, while still practicing law, he earned a PhD in History from Loyola University, and participated in two archeological digs in Greece (one of which identified an undiscovered trade route) with Dorothy, his constant partner in adventure by his side. As a perpetual student, and someone relentlessly curious, Mike studied until the end: his last class was in 2021, where he was reading Homer in ancient Greek as a student at The University of Chicago.
Mike and Dorothy were consummate adventurers, traveling every corner of the world and making life-long friends as they went, from street artists to heads of state. Their travels were extensive: they met the Pope, walked the great Wall of China before China was opened, and crossed the Suez Canal at midnight, to name a few. Mike and Dorothy enjoyed a happy and loving life together, shared with family, friends and pets. They were kind and philanthropic. His family and friends will remember Mike as a loving stepfather, uncle, mentor and friend. Mike led a spectacular life befitting a spectacular man. May his Memory be Eternal!
Visitation Tuesday, August 17, 2021, from 4PM-8PM at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home, 7861 S. 88th Avenue, Justice, IL. Funeral service Wednesday at 10AM at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 10301 S. Kolmar Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL. The service may be viewed live or anytime after here. Interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Evergreen Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org, would be appreciated. Arrangements by Memory Eternal Funeral Directors, Ltd. (847) 375-0095.
May His Memory Be Eternal.