Constantine John Dermas "Gus"

Constantine John Dermas (“Gus”) passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, March 17, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Gus was born on March 2, 1929, in Mikro Horio, Evrytania, Greece. Gus immigrated to the United States in 1947 following World War II. He dutifully served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and then made his way from New York City down to Greensboro, North Carolina where he and his brother-in-law, Cleo Kontoulas, opened a diner. True to their character and unflappable sense of right and wrong, in this diner, Gus and Cleo served the black community exclusively, during the time of the sit-in movement in the civil rights era. In 1962, Gus moved to Asheville and bought a small café, the Stoney Knob Restaurant, which eventually became the Stoney Knob Café. It exists to this day as the longest standing family-owned restaurant in town. Gus met his wife, Ismini, in 1966 and together they built a beautiful and full life. They worked hard and selflessly gave to their family, their patrons, and their community. Gus was an active member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, where he was the chanter for decades. He had a silky-smooth voice like Perry Como that often brought people to tears. He was a man of strength, faith, grace, and – most of all – profound love. He was honest, had the highest sense of integrity, and never had an ill word to say about anyone. In his prime, he was an avid rabbit hunter with trusty loyal beagles whom he loved like his children. He earned his Ph.D. as the hardest working man on the planet. Until the very end of his life, he could be found cutting grass, trimming trees, catching groundhogs under his deck, or peeling potatoes at the restaurant. And, on top of all that, he maintained a gorgeous and prolific vegetable garden. Gus’s favorite quote was “straight ahead.” To that end, we will all continue “straight ahead.” He will be dearly missed. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Ismini Dermas; his parents, Katarina and John Dermatas; his sisters, Antigone Chronopolous and Constantina (“Dena”) Kontoulas. He is survived by his sons, John Gus Dermas and Yotty Dermas; grandchildren, Maria Ioanna Dermas and Constantine Dermas; and numerous other family members and friends. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Abby Day, whom Gus loved and appreciated, and who cared for him dearly in his final days. The family will receive friends from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday, March 19, 2023, concluding with a Trisagion. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 20, 2023, at the church with Father Michael Diavatis officiating. Interment will follow at Lewis Memorial Park. The family will gather privately after the burial. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests, with gratitude, that memorial contributions in Gus’s name be directed to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 227 Cumberland Ave, Asheville, NC 28801.

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Constantine John Dermas "Gus"

March 2, 1929 - March 17, 2023