Aristide J. Nasious

Arístides "Art" Nasious, a man defined by courage, enterprise, and a deep devotion to family and community, passed away peacefully.

His monumental journey began as a young man when he immigrated to the United States from his birthplace in Lithovounia, Tripoli, Greece, alongside his beloved brother, Gus. Traveling directly to Salida, Colorado, they were welcomed and nurtured by their aunt and uncle, Sally and Chris Nasious. Answering the call of his adopted country, Arístides proudly joined the United States Navy. Stationed in San Diego, California, he became a worldwide traveler, journeying to Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, New Zealand, and Guam.

Upon returning to civilian life, Arístides built the foundation of his career. He worked for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad in the freight department in Salida and later moved to Denver, where he worked at Martin Marietta in shipping and receiving. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Arístides and Gus then relocated to Chicago, Illinois, where they successfully owned and operated the Cheerio Restaurant, creating a vibrant hub of warm hospitality.

In 1964, Arístides returned to Tripoli, where he met the love of his life, Maria. The two fell deeply in love, wed, and crossed the Atlantic together to return to Salida. Looking toward the future, Arístides and Maria permanently laid down roots in Denver, Colorado, to raise their family. Back in Denver, Arístides returned to his culinary roots, dedicating the remainder of his working years to the restaurant hospitality industry, where his signature warmth touched many lives.

Arístides was an incredibly proud and devoted father to his five sons: John, George, Chris, Jim, and Tom. Together, he and Maria built a home filled with the enduring traditions and rich heritage of their Greek homeland, instilling those strong values in their boys.

Immensely proud of his roots, Arístides dedicated much of his life to supporting his fellow Greek-Americans. He was a lifelong member of the Order of AHEPA, embodying the fraternity's mission of philanthropy, community service, and the preservation of Hellenic ideals. He also spent many years as a faithful volunteer for the Denver Greek Festival at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral. His legacy of hard work, patriotism, and fierce dedication to his family will live on proudly through his sons and the generations that follow.

Survived by: His loving wife, Maria; his five sons, John, George, Chris, Jim, and Tom; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tommy and Ginger Manolopoulos of Taylors, SC; his nephews, Alex and Paul Manolopoulos; his niece, Christina Manolopoulos; his niece, Evangeline Mallas and her husband Alex of San Mateo, CA; his nephews, John Nasious and Nectarios Nasious of Denver, CO; his great-nephew, Athanasios Nasious of Denver, CO; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended relatives in Tripoli, Greece, and beyond.

Preceded in death by: His brothers, George J. Nasious and Gus J. Nasious (Greece); his sister, Christina (Nasious) Skropolithes; his sister-in-law, Bessie Nasious; and his aunt and uncle, Sally and Chris Nasious.