KOSSOUDJI, Peter Demetrius “Pete”, passed away on Saturday, September 6th 2025.  Pete was born in Brooklyn, New York, on July 31st, 1935 and he joyfully celebrated his 90th birthday just weeks ago with family and friends.

Pete’s life was filled with hard work, persistence, and his love of nature and gardens. It is fitting that he and his wife, Shirley, opened North Dayton Garden Center in 1963. He would go on to make the garden center his life’s work and focus.  The garden center flourished because of Pete’s sweat equity and ingenuity. He could grow anything—and almost did.  Pete remained an entrepreneur until his dying day.

Pete was an extraordinary man, known for his wit, practical wisdom, and unwavering generosity.  He could not go anywhere in public without being stopped by a current customer, a past customer, or a future customer.  He conversed with anyone, dispensing plant advice or giving away plants to friends and strangers.  He believed, and it’s true, that half the town knew his radio jingle.  Strangers would walk up singing it or ask Pete to sing it.  It brought Pete joy to know that he was best known for his vegetables, flowers, and a happy radio jingle.

Pete traveled the world and visited various cities and countries across the globe.  He and his wife, Shirley, loved to take cruises and to explore new ports.   He was a contributing member of the Dayton Greek Orthodox Church and his proud Greek roots ran deep. Beyond his accomplishments, Pete loved getting the family and his friends together. He held grand parties from 4th of July gatherings with a hundred people to family holidays at the dinner table.

There were many loves in Pete’s life but his greatest was his wife, Shirley (deceased, 2019), followed closely by the city of Dayton, Ohio, where he has lived since he was three years old.  He is survived by his children, Sherrie and Rick (Lisa); his grandchildren, Heidi Clarke, Alex Whatley (Kelly Granito), Dimitri Kossoudji, Carmen Whatley, Tiffani Kossoudji (Michael Porter) and Holli Kossoudji (Daniel Perez ); his great grandchildren, Jocelyn Clarke, Elyse Clarke, Erza Kossoudji, Luna Kossoudji, Otis Whatley, Melody Whatley, and Desmond Whatley; three living brothers, Ted (Joy), Chris (Paula), and Nick; many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, Daytonians, and fellow nurseryman who cherish his laughter, kindness, and gardening wisdom. Pete considered all of them family.

We say goodbye with heavy hearts and know that Pete's legacy will live on in the many friends and family he leaves behind.  May his memory be eternal.

Funeral service will be held 10:00 AM Friday, September 12, 2025 at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 500 Belmonte Park North with Father Anthony Cook officiating. Interment Woodland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 11th at the Marker & Heller Funeral Home, Huber Heights Chapel, 5844 Old Pike. Trisagion prayer will be held at 6:00 PM.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church or Wegerzyn Garden Center in Pete’s memory.