Dionysios A. “Sakis” Asvestas

Age 72, of Pittsburgh, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with lung cancer on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Born Dionysios Alexios Asvestas in the village of Neochorio, Ilias, outside of Patras, Greece on May 10, 1953 to the late Alexios and Dimitra (Diamantopoulou) Asvestas. Sakis is survived by his beloved sister, Haroula Asvesta of Patras, Greece, with whom he shared a close bond, as well as Eleftheria Politi, who he grew up with and considered to be a sister. He is also survived by his four nephews whom he adored and thought of as his own kids – Makis (Maria) Baltimas of Patras, Greece, Alexios (Niki) Baltimas of Patras, Greece, Dimitrios (Eleni) Baltimas of San Diego, California, Dionysios Baltimas of Patras, Greece (who was his namesake), as well as his grand-nephew, Fotis and his grand-niece, Elpida. Sakis is also survived by his former spouse, JoAnna “Anna” (Kalas) Asvestas, with whom he remained friends with until his death, as well as her children and grandchildren. He had an especially close relationship with his grandson, Nikolas "Niko" Kouknas, whom he revered and cherished.

Sakis immigrated to the United States on May 11, 1980 and settled in Pittsburgh, which he proudly considered his home for the past 45 years. An electrician by trade back in Greece, he found work as an industrial painter in his early years in the U.S. and later as an amateur mathematician who knew his way around numbers. He never pursued any formal education. But, as he would say, he got his education from the streets. At many points throughout his life, Sakis didn’t have much. And in the times that he did – he was the most generous person. If he had money in his pocket and someone was in need, he would be the first person to help and the last person to expect anything in return. He was a simple man at his core and unapologetically lived his life how he wanted to live it with no regrets. He ate whatever he wanted (despite being a diabetic), said whatever he wanted (he rarely had a filter), and did whatever he wanted. It didn’t take much to make him happy – a cup of good coffee (especially if it was Greek), Greek rebetika, and playing cards into the early morning hours. You knew where you stood with Sakis, and rest assured - he wouldn’t hesitate to remind you either. He loved hard and fought even harder. Sakis faced many health issues over the course of the past five and a half years and kept a positive attitude throughout it all. Much to the surprise of his doctors and family, he overcame many significant obstacles again and again and was resilient through it all up until the very end.

His family would especially like to thank Dr. Daniel Petro and all of the nurses and staff at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Dr. Tom Miller and the Palliative Care Team at Allegheny General Hospital, as well as the staff of Asbury Heights for their tremendous care, support, and kindness over the past several months.

Family and friends will be received on Monday, April 7, 2025 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM, with a Trisagion Service at 7:00 PM, at BRUSCO-NAPIER FUNERAL SERVICE, LTD., 2201 Bensonia Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM, at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 123 Gilkeson Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228, with additional visitation held prior to the service from 10:00 - 11:00 AM. Interment to follow in Homewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church Agape Fund, 123 Gilkeson Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228.

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