Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

October 12, 2025

NEW YORK, NY– Constantine Panourgias (Dino Panos), 95, of New York, NY, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 12, 2025.  He was born on May 21, 1930, to the late Evangelos and Eleni Karagounis Panourgias, in Anatoliki Fragkista, Evrytania, Greece.

In 1946, while Dino’s mother was pregnant with his brother Van, their father was tortured and killed during the Greek Civil War.  At age 16, as the eldest, Dino left for Athens to assume responsibility for supporting the family.

In 1951, Dino left for America at the age of 21.  He was sponsored by his mother’s brothers, Demosthenes, Bill Gus and Nick Karras (Karagounis) already settled in Charlotte, NC.  He worked in Uncle Gus’ restaurant and Howard Johnson’s learning the language and becoming assimilated in America.

In 1954, he travelled to Chicago with a couple of friends searching for employment opportunities.  It was there that he worked at the Edgewater Beach Hotel where he gained invaluable experience as a maître d’.

In November of 1963, he was reunited with his mother, sister and brothers and decided to join his family in New York.   Dino’s first job was at the 1964 New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York.  Because it was a seasonal job, Dino continued to network for new opportunities to improve his employment skills and future earning potential.  Walking down Park Avenue in NYC, a fellow worker mentioned that the renowned Voisin Restaurant was hiring for a Captain position.  Dino pursued the opportunity and was hired.  While working, the General Manager of the Restaurant Associates observed Dino and slipped him a card that said, “Come see me at the Four Seasons!”  Dino saw another growth opportunity and was hired as a maître d’ at the Four Seasons Restaurant continuing to build on his work experiences.

Dino was ready to pursue his dream of becoming an entrepreneur.  He and his business partner owned and operated L’Escargot Restaurant on 47 West 55^th Street in New York City from 1974 to 1988.  He was thoughtful and enjoyed welcoming patrons of the restaurant as if it was his home ensuring an excellent dining experience.

When he retired in 1988, Dino focused on rebuilding the family home in Fragkista that had been vacant for 27 years.  He enjoyed spending four to six months every year in Greece for 37 years except 2020 during the pandemic.  When the house was completed, Dino donated to the construction of the Kafantaris Museum in Fragkista. 

Dino also enjoyed travelling the world, touring museums and historical sites while meeting people and eating the local cuisine.

He looked forward to celebrating Holy Week and reconnecting with his family and faith at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Charlotte where his journey began so many years ago.  He was proud of his Greek roots, his Orthodox faith and his family and friends.

Dino is survived by his siblings, Lambrini Panourgias Phillos, Haralambos (Harry Panos) Panourgias (Katherine) and Evangelos (Van) Panourgias; nieces, Vasiliki Phillos and Lia Panos; nephews, Angelo Phillos (Jill) and Spiro Phillos; great-nieces, Lambrini, Mariel, Georgina Phillos and great-nephew, August Constantine Enos and numerous cousins, relatives and friends.  He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, George Phillos and niece, Angel Panos.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends and will always be lovingly remembered.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.  The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 9:30 AM until the time of the service.  Interment will immediately follow at Evergreen Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Dino to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203.   Checks should be made payable to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral with Altar Fund-Dino Panos in the memo line. 

If you would like to honor Dino with flowers, please send flower arrangements to the church.

May His Memory Be Eternal.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.