In Memory
Anthony T. Dakis
Formerly Tony Coucoudakis
Anthony T. Dakis "Tony," age 75, of Millcreek, Pa., passed away at his home, on Saturday, July 21, 2018, following a five-month illness.
He was born in Beaver Falls, Pa., on December 6, 1942, son of the late George and Agatha Bitkowski Coucoudakis, Sr.
Anthony graduated from Beaver Falls High School, and proudly served his country as a Specialty Corpsman with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, Sharpshooter Medal for both Rifle, and M-14 and the Vietnam Service Medal. He worked as a conductor for Conrail for many years. Anthony was an avid sailor, spending many hours on Lake Erie on his sailboat "Tom Cat." He also enjoyed hunting and fishing in Wyoming and traveling to his family's roots on the Island of Crete.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Gus, George and Nick.
Anthony is survived by his wife Linda L. DeHart Dakis, children Jill Frye (Chad), Julie Rudi (John), Aaron (Robyn) Hopper, Eric (Tina) Hopper, and Andrea (Jeffrey) Richmond. Tony is further survived by ten grandchildren.
Friends are invited to a Memorial Service at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street, Erie, on Friday, July 27, 2018, at 6:30 p.m.
The family wishes to extend a special "thank you" to the staff of the Erie Veterans Administration Medical Center, and Great Lakes Hospice for everyone's kind and compassionate care.
Memorials may be sent to Disabled American Veterans, Erie Chapter, P.O. Box 3415, Erie, PA 16508.
Martha Dean (Hoegle)
To Tony's wife, Linda, I send my condolences. I know it is hard when you lose your husband. To his children, Linda, Jill, Julie, Aaron, Eric and Andrea I send my sympathy on losing your father. January of 1996 I loss my father to death also. I was blessed to have my father for almost 82 years and have a lot of beautiful memories of him. I know that when you lose a loved one there will always be things that will cause memories to surface. My own father loved gardening and he would frequently ride my brother and I in a wheelbarrow in our yard. When I go in a store like Home Depot or Lowe's and see a wheelbarrow I will get tears in my eyes as I still remember the precious memories we shared. My dad has been gone 22 years and I still miss him, but I know one day I will go to heaven and see if again as we are both Christians. I first remember seeing Tony when we both attended the Beaver Falls Junior High School. I can still remember his real black hair, dark eyes and his olive colored skin. I don't remember the last time that I saw him, but on reading his obituary I know that he had a lot of loves and interests. My husband is deceased also, but he came from a large family like you and some of his family live in the Erie area. If I had known of Tony's funeral I would have attended. May God comfort each one of you and may you continue to spend time together and remember your beautiful roots. Being a granddaughter, grandmother and greatgrandmother, I want Tony's grandchildren to know that he loved each one of you, follow your dreams and God's plan for each of your lives.
Joan Vasas (Verner)
Tony was the "Greek God" of our class. He was a wonderful neighbor for many years. I will miss his beautiful smile. Last saw him at Athens Restaurant in Beaver Falls talking with all his greek buddies. So glad I had a chance to talk with him, Tony lived life to it's fullest. May he rest in peace.