Prominent Rochester Businessman Gus Chafoulias Has Died (UPDATE)

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Rochester has lost another member of its “old guard.”

The daughter of the Rochester developer posted on Facebook Friday evening that her father, Gus Chafoulias, passed away Friday evening. He was 85-years-old.

"Rochester, you lost a legend tonight...and Rochester, he loved you!" - Ann Chafoulias (Facebook)

Chafoulias was responsible for much of downtown Rochester’s skyline. His D-5 redevelopment project in the 1980s remade much of what had been a downtown in decline with the construction of what is now the DoubleTree Hotel, the University of Minnesota-Rochester, and Centerplace Office Building.

Since then, Chafoulias and his family have been behind numerous major developments in Rochester and elsewhere. More recently, Chafoulias, through Titan Development, built the new Hilton Hotel as part of the Destination Medical Center initiative.

The Macken Funeral Home says a private family funeral service will be held at Sts. Kosmas & Damianos Greek Orthodox Church.  A public visitation will take place on Monday from 1 to 7 PM at the Hilton Hotel ballroom. The obituary indicates the family will not be attending because of COVID-19 restrictions. Those policies require a continuous walking line for anyone attending.

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