Elias “Louis” Nicholas Delis

Elias “Louis” Delis was born September 18, 1936, in Tripolis, Greece. He was 1 of 8 children – 4 boys and 4 girls – born to Nikolaos and Stavroula Delis and spent his formative years living through the struggles of WWII and the Italian and German occupancy of Greece. To help his family make ends meet, Louis began working at the local bakery at 7 years old sweeping and doing odd jobs.

At 27, Louis and his younger sister, Eleni, followed their older brother, George, to Canada to look for new opportunities. The siblings stayed there for a few years before leaving the Canadian winters behind them for the sunny weather of Los Angeles, California, where their older sister, Christina, made a life with her husband, Stavros.

In 1969, Louis traveled back to Greece, where he met, fell in love with, and married his wife of over 52 years, Helen (Karatzias). After their wedding, the couple returned to Los Angeles, opening a restaurant with Louis’ sister and brother-in-law, Stavros, on 2nd St in Hermosa Beach, California that they called S and L.

Before long, Louis and Helen began growing their family and decided it was time to open a restaurant of their own. In August of 1973, the couple opened the doors to Louis’ Burgers on Artesia Blvd in Redondo Beach, California which they operated for over 45 years. They became well-known and much-loved members of the Redondo Beach and South Bay community, finally retiring in November of 2019 when Louis was a spry 82 years young.

For the over 50 years the couple resided and worked in the South Bay, they were devoted parishioners of Saint Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Redondo Beach. Louis enjoyed putting his baking skills to use providing St. Katherine’s their prosphora (the leavened bread used in Orthodox Christian liturgies) whenever possible.

More than anything, Louis loved spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, watching anything sports-related, catching the latest action movies and comedies on his big screen TV, and caring for animals. Over the years he bred and raised thousands of canaries in his spare time, which was a true passion for him.

On Sunday, July 3, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones, Louis peacefully fell asleep in the Lord. He was preceded in death by his son, George, his parents, his brothers, George and Kostas, and his sisters, Eleni, Sitsa, and Christina. Louis is survived by his loving wife, Helen, his sons, Nick (Patty), Steve (Lisa), Sam (Jayelyn), and daughter, Mary; as well as his pride and joy, his grandchildren, Bryleigh and Elias (Sam and Jayelyn), Niko, Taso, and Christiana (Steve and Lisa), and George and Joanna (Nick and Patty). All will deeply miss him!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.