Costas Triantafilos Obituary

In Loving Memory of Costas Nick Triantafilos

April 11, 1939 – March 24, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Costas Nick Triantafilos, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, godfather, and friend to so many. A true legend, the founder and patriarch of Costas Inn, Costas left us suddenly on March 24, 2025, at the age of 85.

Born in Greece, Costas came to America at the age of 15 with just five dollars in his pocket, a heart full of ambition, and a steadfast belief in the American Dream. Through perseverance, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to family and community, he built a legacy that will endure for generations.

But more than anything, Costas was love in its truest form. He did not simply practice his faith—he lived it, every single day. His love was uncompromising, unceasing, and unconditional—a love that embraced everyone and never wavered. If you needed help, he was there. If you needed encouragement, he gave it. If you needed family, he became it.

His faith was not about words—it was about action. It was about kindness in every interaction, warmth in every greeting, generosity in every opportunity. It was about ensuring that everyone he encountered left feeling better than when they came. He lived with gratitude—for his family, for his customers, for his country and for every single day he had.

This is what made him a father figure to so many. Whether you were his child, grandchild, godchild, a team member, a customer, or simply someone he met once, he treated you like family. If you were in his life, you belonged—and you always knew you had someone in your corner.

His landmark, and happy place, is Costas Inn, a Baltimore institution that became far more than just a restaurant—it was a home. For over 54 years, Costas Inn has served as a gathering place for friends, family, and the entire community. People came for the crabs and other great food, but they returned because of him and the family he built.

Costas’s impact stretched far beyond the restaurant. He supported countless individuals, organizations, and causes—many of which we will never know, because he never sought recognition, only to help. Whether it was helping someone pay their medical bills, making sure a struggling family had food on their table, donating to the Church and Philoptochos Society, or just ensuring the local sports clubs had a sponsor, Costas never hesitated. His generosity was immeasurable, his kindness unparalleled.

His compassion and service were recognized in 2006, when he was honored as “Humanitarian of the Year”—though, true to form, he always felt any recognition was best given to someone else. Governors, Members of Congress and local leaders recognized him, however, repeatedly for his standout contributions–and for living the American Dream.

To those who knew him, Costas was more than a business owner—he was the heart and soul of not just a restaurant, but a community and a large, extended family. No one ever had a bad word to say about him. His presence was a constant source of care and support. Whether it was through big deeds or chats at the restaurant bar, phone calls while he was driving, his smile, just a small expression of thanks or “good night” or simply his ability to make everyone feel special, he changed lives.

Even in his later years, where he defied getting older to be as youthful in spirit as anyone, he would wake up and walk two miles on the treadmill before heading into work—because that’s where he was happiest: among people, sharing stories, making sure everyone was taken care of. He was the foundation upon which so many built their own lives.

Beyond the restaurant, Costas had a deep love for horse racing. His first victory as a thoroughbred owner came on December 8, 1985, when his horse, Blue Carrot, won a six-furlong race at Penn National. In 1999, he was named “Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Owner of the Year,” an honor that spoke not only to his success in racing but to the kind of man he was—the kind of person you would want to call family.

Yet, nothing meant more to him than his family. He was the devoted husband of 64 years to his beloved wife, Mary Tsambika Triantafilos, and the loving father of Nick Triantafilos, Pete Triantafilos (wife Stacey), and Christine Shifflet (husband Michael). He was the adoring Papou to ten grandchildren—Maria, Costas, Demetra, Kayla, Sophia, Matthew, Gianna, Brandon, Michael, and Rachel—each of whom he showered with unconditional love and pride.

He is also survived by his sister, Anastasia Kougoulis, and is reunited in eternal rest with his late brother, Soteri Triantafilos. He was a cherished brother-in-law to Michael Kefalas (wife Nora) and leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, and dear friends both in the U.S. and in Greece.

The public viewing will take place at Connelly Funeral Home of Dundalk on Sunday, March 30, 2025, from 1:00-8:00 PM, with a Trisagion service at 7:00 PM. Another public viewing will be held on Monday, March 31, from 10:00-11:00 AM at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM. A graveside service will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery, 7225 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224.

To honor Costas’s lifelong dedication to faith and community, donations may be made in his memory to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, St. Nicholas Ladies Philoptochos Society or the Thomas S. Lambros Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to students of Dundalk, Patapsco, Sparrows Point, Loch Raven, and Parkville high schools.

Costas’s loss leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of those who knew and loved him. His was a life lived for others, and his memory will live on in every heart he touched.

Ζω σε μας. May his memory be eternal.