Dimitrios Dimoutsikos, 62, of Chicago, who turned a $500 loan for a van into a million-dollar Chicago painting business, died of complications from cancer surgery Friday, April 26, in Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago. He left his home in Greece for Chicago in 1964 to earn money for his family, who lived in a two-room home. He worked as a busboy, a landscaper and a painter, and in 1966 married Gloria Pishos. He decided that year to start his own business and borrowed $500 for a used red van on the side of which he painted “Demos” in white script letters, said his son Michael, who now runs the business. Demos Painting and Decorating began by repainting homes and synagogues on the North Side. The business grew to take on original painting jobs, including malls and townhouses, enabling Mr. Dimoutsikos to build a new home for his parents by the early 1970s. He enjoyed following politics and was proud his business painted the current residence of Mayor Richard M. Daley, his son Evan said. He embraced his heritage, attending Greek dance performances around Chicago and visiting Greece. In addition to his sons and wife, Mr. Dimoutsikos is also survived by a daughter, Maria Foukas; his mother, Maria; two brothers, Theodore and George; and five grandchildren. Services have been held.
