Dennis T. Serras, Ann Arbor, MI died on January 30, 2019, at his residence with his loving family by his side. Dennis was born in Schenectady, NY in 1946. The second son to Greek-immigrant parents Louis and Dena Serras, he is survived by his wife Ellie, daughters Alisha and Niki and siblings LeGrande, Andrea and John, 6 nieces, and 2 nephews.
Dennis grew up working in the family restaurant in New York, so when he moved with his brother LeGrande to Ann Arbor in 1965, it came as no surprise that he started working in restaurants, finding a mentor in Chuck Muer. The Real Seafood Company, Serras’ first restaurant opened in 1975, he was 28 yrs. old.
In 1977, his life changed forever when he met Ellie (Pacetti). They were married in 1979 and had two daughters Alisha and Niki. With Ellie by his side, Dennis went on to open many more restaurants under the umbrella of Mainstreet Ventures which he founded in 1979.
He can be credited for helping create the ‘food scene’ in downtown Ann Arbor, especially on Main Street. Serras was an active volunteer and supporter of many community organizations including University Musical Society (UMS), Main Street Area Association (MSAA), founding member of the Michigan Medicine Patient Family Advisory Committee (PFAC), Soup Kitchen Del Ray, Cancer Center University of Michigan, Depression Center University of Michigan, The Neutral Zone, Summer Festival, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Dawn Farm and many more. Dennis’ vision of collaborating with nonprofits for a better community is a model for sustaining both profit and nonprofit organizations.
Mainstreet Ventures and the Serras family continue to be known for its generosity throughout this community. “Dennis was a trendsetter and a vision actualizer. He was the quintessential entrepreneur, combining an awareness of community needs with business acumen.
His idea of good business practice is filled with vision and a commitment to the overall good of the neighborhood and community” in the words of Ken Fischer spoken at an event honoring Dennis and Ellie. And then there’s the private Dennis who excelled at every “hobby” that caught his attention. He was an avid golfer and fisherman; he collected muscle cars from the 60’s; he was a private pilot and achieved the highest certification to fly pressurized multi-engine planes; he was recognized by the United States Coast Guard as a Merchant Marine Captain and operated a 60’ yacht; he played high stakes poker tournaments all over world; he was the general contractor of the family home in Ann Arbor, which is an homage to Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie style concept; he was the best friend one could ever hope for; he never minced words; he had a full sense of humor; loved food; mostly though, he loved his family more than anything else in his life and consistently expressed his love for his daughters and wife.
Dennis lived by two mottos: “If it’s worth doing it’s worth abusing” and “May you live as long as you love and love as long as you live” He accomplished both. Visitation will be Friday, February 1st at Nie Funeral Home, 3767 W Liberty Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm with a Trisagion service with Father Nick Kotsis at 8:00 pm. A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 am Saturday, February 2nd at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 3109 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
Burial immediately following the church service at Forest Hill Cemetery, 415 Observatory St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dennis Theodore Serras please visit our Sympathy Store.
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