Spiros D. Coutavas
June 29, 1936 ~ August 10, 2026
Born in:
Norfolk, Virginia
Resided in:
Vienna, Virginia
Spiros “Spike” Coutavas, 90, passed away peacefully with his beloved wife, Diana, at his bedside on Monday, August 10, 2026. Born to immigrant parents from Kefalonia, he spent his formative years enveloped and enriched by the cultural and spiritual influences of Norfolk, Virginia’s Greek community. After college at the University of Richmond and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, he embarked on a naval career that took him all over the world. He continued his education after military service at Boston University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and came back home to teach economics at Norfolk State University. Teaching was incredibly rewarding but something else was calling him to the Washington D.C. area. It was there where he met the love of his life, Diana, while working as an economist at the Center for Naval Analyses. Together they settled in at their family home in Vienna, VA. There, Spike and Diana would set down deep roots as their professional and social circles grew – hosting Christmas parties, backyard barbecues, attending music recitals and sporting events. Spike forged lasting friendships at work while bonding with colleagues over baseball and budget deficits. Eventually becoming empty-nesters, Spike and Diana took to the road for several cross-country trips memorialized in countless photographs. Those trips were one of the many highs in their marriage. The tragic loss of his own father at thirteen instilled a lifelong commitment in Spike to love and support everyone who was fortunate to find themselves in his orbit. They are all the richer for it and will miss him dearly.
Spike is survived by his “Dear,” wife Diana; children John Charles (Rachael), Steven (Sue), and Kristine (Ron); brother-in-law John (Betty); grandchildren Gregory and Mary (Justin); and great-grandchild Arden. He was preceded in death by parents John and Coula; sister Athena; aunts and uncles Kevi, Nick, Dennis, and Aliki; cousins Jerry and Rosa; mother-in-law Mary; and favorite pet Freebie Cat.
A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 PM on Friday, August 14, 2026 at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA followed by a traditional makaria fellowship meal. His burial will be in 2027 at Arlington National Cemetery. The family would like to thank Sunrise of Vienna for the exceptional care and community support Spike received toward the end of his life. Everlasting be his memory!
Services
Funeral Service: August 14, 2026 1:00 pm
St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church
3149 Glen Carlyn Rd.
Falls Church, VA 22041
703) 671-1515
https://www.saint-katherines.org/
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Dear Diana & Family, I was so saddened to read Spike’s obituary. I grew up next door to him on Leafwood Drive in Norfolk. Such fond memories of Spike (and his sporty car), Coula, Kevi, Nick, & Athena. What a wonderful family! I think I was seven years old when we moved into our new home. It was a treat living next to a family that had turned their garage into a second kitchen, and were cooking, baking, and sharing all their wonderful creations. I had such a love for Coula and Kevi. I still use the teapot they gave me as a wedding present and talk about them all the time. I looked up to both Spike and Athena as I was growing up. I lived next door to them until I went to college at seventeen. I will always cherish the memories of the entire family. You were very lucky to have such a loving husband, father, and grandfather. It was an honor to know him. May your pain be eased by your own fond memories of Spike and his family.