Konstantinos “Gus” Saites, age 86, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2026, surrounded by the love of family, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, generosity, laughter, and unwavering devotion to those he cherished most. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Monday, July 27, 2026 at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church 2143 S. Center Rd. Burton. Visitation will be held 4-8 PM Sunday, July 26 at Sharp Funeral Home & Cremation Center 6063 Fenton Rd. Grand Blanc. Trisagion service will be held at 7 PM Sunday at the funeral home.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Polyxeni (“Polly”) Saites; his daughters, Vicky Saites (Ryan Scott) and Trish (Bryan) Reed; and his grandson, Aristotle Papaioannou.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Haralambos and Vasiliki Saites, and his sister, Olga Bisilas.
Born in Piraeus, Greece, Gus immigrated to the United States with his identical twin brother, Lambros (“Louie”) Saites, and proudly became an American citizen in 1963 at the age of 23. Although he embraced America as his home, he carried with him the traditions, values, and deep love for Greece that remained at the heart of his life.
On December 18, 1966, Gus married the love of his life, Polyxeni (“Polly”) Saites, in Athens, Greece. Together they built nearly 60 years of marriage centered on faith, unconditional love, hard work, and family.
After beginning his career as a partner at Contos Lounge, Gus fulfilled his dream of owning his own business when he purchased The Peppermint Lounge on April 18, 1977. More than a neighborhood establishment, it became a second home for generations of friends and patrons. To many, Gus wasn’t just the owner of The Peppermint Lounge, he was the heart of it. He welcomed everyone with a warm smile, open arms, and the kind of genuine hospitality that made every person feel like family.
Known throughout Flint, Gus rarely went anywhere without someone stopping to say hello. Alongside his identical twin brother, Louie, the two became well known for their playful tradition of letting people guess which twin they were, creating smiles and laughter wherever they went.