MICHAEL DAFINGAS - MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL

Michael Dafingas fell asleep in the Lord on February 24, 2009 while in the loving arms of his family. His heart failed and he left very peacefully.

Mr. Dafingas was born in the village of Melisotopos in Northern Greece and lived in Thessaloniki. He traveled, lived and worked in Australia and Canada. Mr. Dafingas visited the Detroit area and ultimately settled here when he met his wife, Chrisoula. He worked for Chrysler Corporation.

Known for his witty sense of humor and fun personality, Mr. Dafingas entertained countless Metropolitan Detroit Greeks with his jokes and stories while on trips or at dinners, dances or festivals. For several years he served as president of the Pan Macedonian Association Aristotelis Chapter and chaired countless dinner dances and fundraisers. His pride for his homeland, Thessaloniki in particular, was immeasurable.

The church and his family, however, were the cornerstone and foundation of his life. Visiting the Holy Land with Father Kavadas and meeting His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew was “a dream come true” for Mr. Dafingas. Until mobility issues in recent years limited his ability to attend church, Mr. Dafingas was there every Sunday with his family. His faith played a major role in his life. His daily prayer and veneration of the icons in the iconostasis at their home left a lasting impression on his two daughters. As a result, both families are now living the same way as Mr. Dafingas did---with Christ at the center of their lives.

Mr. Dafingas is survived by his wife of 48 years, Chrisoula; daughters Anastasia (Christ) Pitses and Roula (Tony) Lipinski; grandchildren Eleni, Chrisoula, Michael and Nicholas; sister Evdokia (John) Andony of Australia; brother-in-law Costas Renieris; and many nieces and nephews in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Greece.

The family kindly requests that memorial contributions go directly to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church for the Fire Restoration Fund. Mr. Dafingas will be missed. May his memory be eternal.