Online Obituaries

Manuel Louis Papista

December 08, 1930 - January 23, 2010

Manuel L. Papista

Manuel (Mike) Louis Papista was born on December 8, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, the youngest of three children. His parents, Gust and Anthy, emigrated from Kozani, in the province of Macedonia, Greece. They owned a tavern, Papa Gus’s, in Hamtramck, Michigan. For many years, the family lived above the tavern where they all worked. Mr. Papista often commented that he learned a great deal about people from working at the tavern, which was frequented by auto workers and management alike from the nearby Packard plant. During a sit down strike in the 1940s, the Papistas helped the union members prevail by setting up pulleys from the tavern to hoist food to the workers in the plant with only a verbal promise from the union to pay. While the strike lasted for over two weeks, Gus’s tavern ensured that the striking workers were fed. As a result, the union remained very loyal to the tavern. A union lawyer who frequented the family tavern inspired Mr. Papista as a child to become a lawyer.

Mr. Papista graduated from Southeastern High School in Detroit where he excelled academically and on the athletic fields. Gifted with speed and agility, he played varsity football, basketball, track, and baseball. He also competed in sandlot ball for Joe Gentile during the summers and loved playing in Tiger Stadium. He was valedictorian and class president his senior year. He went on to attend the University of Michigan where he earned a baseball scholarship and played football as well. He pledged the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Mr. Papista graduated in 1951 with a B.A. in history.

He was accepted to the University of Michigan Law School where he completed his first year of legal studies. He postponed his studies to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and acted as an information and education sergeant at Ft. Knox, Kentucky where he met his future law partner and long-time friend, William Lipton. Mr. Lipton encouraged him to complete his legal studies at the Detroit College of Law (DCL). Mr. Papista returned to the Detroit area and began teaching U.S. history at Southlake High School in St. Clair Shores while he completed his law degree as a night student at DCL, which he accomplished in 1958.

Shortly after becoming an attorney, Mr. Papista and Mr. Lipton formed the successful law firm, Lipton, Papista, & Garfinkle, PC with their colleague, Donald Garfinkle, which was located in the Cadillac Towers in downtown Detroit. Mr. Papista focused his practice in the areas of business, real estate, and probate and estate law. He cared deeply for his clients who, decades later, would praise Mr. Papista’s compassion, hard work, and dedication to their legal matters.

Mr. Papista met his wife Louise, an elementary school teacher, through mutual friends. They married in 1961 and completed their Masters in education together at Wayne State University in Detroit.

As a young lawyer, Mr. Papista was active in Democratic politics and was a lifetime member of the Hellenic Bar Association. Mr. Papista was also dedicated to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan. For over forty-eight years, he served on the church council where he offered his professional wisdom and guidance. His love and selfless giving of time and talent to his church community is known nationally and was recognized by Archbishop Spyridon by bestowing upon him the Medal of St. Paul. In 2008, Mr. Papista received the Hellenic Heritage Award honoring his longtime service to the Greek community.

Mr. Papista and his family enjoyed sports, travel, and theater. Mr. Papista especially loved Shakespeare’s plays. The family spent many memorable summer days at the family cottage in Lexington, Michigan. He was immensely proud of his granddaughter, Eva, and took great joy in being able to spend time with her. Mr. Papista loved, encouraged, and inspired his family and friends throughout his life and will be always remembered for his caring and compassion for others.

Mr. Papista is survived by his wife, Louise, his daughter, Anthy, son, Costa, daughter-in-law Lisa, and granddaughter, Eva, as well as his sister, Theano Johnson, brother-in-law, George Johnson, and sister, Alexandria Mallos.

Funeral Information

Visitation Tuesday 5-9 pm and Wednesday 1-8 pm with Trisagion 7 pm at Chas. Verheyden Funeral Homes Inc., 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe. In state Thursday 9 am until time of service 9:30 am at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 21800 Marter Rd., St. Clair Shores, 48080.

Donations Information

Memorial contributions may be made to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 21800 Marter Rd., St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080.

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