Obituary for Daniel Efthimios Triantafillou

Daniel Efthimios Triantafillou, beloved son of Gust and Martha (Prendergast) Triantafillou, was born on July 20, 1983, and passed away May 10, 2025, in a white-water rafting accident in Idaho.

Danny was an adventurer and sportsman who loved the outdoors and all the challenges it presented.

Danny graduated from Heritage High School in 2001, having participated in ski, soccer and choir.

His love of skiing led him to continue his education at Northen Michigan University and Gogebic College. He graduated with a degree in ski area management, that was highlighted by a semester he studied abroad in New Zealand.

Colorado was Danny’s next destination. The high country provided him with so much opportunity to participate in all his favorite sports. Danny was in his element while snowmaking at Copper Mountain, coaching skiing at Vale’s school for Olympic hopefuls, and guiding and teaching white water rafting. One of his favorite rafting trips was an 18-day excursion on the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon.

In the last three years Danny discovered, yet another passion… cooking! He built and operated his own food street stand “Fancy Weiner’s” in Buena Vista, CO. His business quickly expanded to include catering for weddings, concerts, and other large events.

Danny loved traveling. He dived right into the cultures, people, and food of the countries he traveled to. His paternal grandparents came from Greece and Danny loved spending time at their family home, sailing and perfecting Greek delicacies. Danny loved Irish food as well, perfecting his Irish mother’s Soda bread recipe.

He was predeceased by his grandparents Efthimios (Mike) and Efrosini Triantafillou, Daniel and Mary Prendergast; aunts Mary Kennedy App, Jeannie Farrington Triantafillou, Colleen Prendergast Grant, Mary Pat Novak Kennedy; uncles Gary Grant, Dutch Bowman. He is survived by his parents, his uncle and godfather, Dr. George Triantafillou, his aunts, Patty Prendergast and Rita Bowman and so many cousins who he adored.

Danny was blessed with legions of friends in Michigan and Colorado. There are too many friends to list but Danny considered Ryan McKay, Michael Doby, Jessica Gilbert, and Adam Lee his family.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. at W.L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 4480 Mackinaw Rd, Saginaw, MI 48603, where the Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. and the Greek Trisagion at 7:00 p.m. There will be an additional visitation held on Monday, May 19, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 4970 Mackinaw Rd, Saginaw, MI 48603, where the funeral will follow at 11:00 a.m. Danny will be laid to rest at the family plot at Forest Lawn Cemetery, where the graveside service will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Monday. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.

Please share your thoughts and memories of Daniel with his family by attending the visitation and service or by visiting www.casefuneralhome.com.