The Passing of Danakamala
Here is the link to Danakamala's Obituary. (also listed below)
His remains will be interred at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH on August 1st at 3 pm. He will receive military honors for his time serving in the US Army. If you are interested in attending, please arrive by 2:45 pm for the 2:55 military honors ceremony.
Two celebrations of his life are planned on August 21st. The first will be for his friends in the NH seacoast community at Caffe Kilim, 163 Islington St. Portsmouth from 1-4 pm, and the other for the Triratna community at Aryaloka later that evening, details TBD.
Constantine Papavasiliou, also known as Dino Papas and Dharmachari Danakamala, aged 76, of Portsmouth, NH, passed away peacefully in his home on July 18, 2025. He was surrounded by his many treasures collected over decades as an artist and flea marketeer.
Dino was an ordained Buddhist, given the name Danakamala in 2008 which means ‘Lotus of Generosity’. Finding the Dharma, the Buddhist teachings, and the Triratna Buddhist Order along with his teacher, Urgyen Sangharakshita, was of pivotal importance in his life. He contributed to the building of the Buddhist community here in New Hampshire as well as in Mexico where he traveled frequently.
Born in Piraeus, Greece, he immigrated to the US when he was a teenager, landing in New York City, and serving in the US Army from 1968 to 1972. He lived in NYC for many years and was active in the counterculture scene, such as with the Radical Faeries while working as a taxi driver, florist, fruitier and stager of theatrical special events. He was a collector of many things, with an artist’s eye and a keen sense of recycling and repurposing anything into art.
He moved to Portsmouth, NH in the mid-1980s when his daughter was born. A political activist passionate about affordable access to quality healthcare, education and housing, he integrated his love of the arts with his love for people. He was described by a close artist friend as "a man deeply mycelial". In other words, he knew how art and community networks nourish each other. He was one of the founders of the Portsmouth Halloween Parade in 1995 and was integral in the life of The Button Factory Studios for many years. For a short time he had a shop in Portsmouth called ‘every little thing’ and was a long time presence at Todd’s Farm Flea Market in Rowley, MA after he stopped commuting to the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market in NYC.
He encouraged everyone to be themselves, and met everyone with kindness, laughter, depth and meaning. Mischievous in nature, he’s been described as a magician, an adventurer, and one who could truly listen. He continuously grew into his name—as his generous and tender heart helped so many. His easy warmth and quiet charisma enabled him to connect with everyone. Legendary coffee drinker, he made a home at Caffe Kilim, (and a second home in Mexico City cafes). We raise a toast to Kilim, his extended family there, and everyone he enjoyed conversing with over so many years.
Constantine was predeceased by his father Elias Papavasiliou, mother Matina Pateli, step mother Dimitra Papavasiliou, brother Soulis (Anastasios) Papavasiliou, and his nephew Elias Papavasiliou.
He is survived by his daughter Tasha Murphy, her husband Nathaniel Murphy and their children Liam and Colin. Extended family includes his daughter's mother Lorie Witham, and Lou and Sam Parady.He is further survived by his brother Chrisos Papavasiliou, his sister Connie Papavasiliou, his sister-in-law Theodora Papavasiliou (widow of his late brother Soulis) and nephew Jimmy Papavasiliou, along with a large extended family of many more cousins, nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces.
His remains will be interred at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH on August 1st at 3 pm. He will receive military honors for his time serving in the US Army.
Two celebrations of his life are planned on August 21st. The first for his friends in the seacoast community at Caffe Kilim, 163 Islington St. Portsmouth from 1-4 pm, and the other for his Buddhist community at Aryaloka Buddhist Center in Newmarket, later that evening.
His close friend and primary support in his final years, Michelle Viriyalila, asks that donations be made to Peer Connections https://www.connectionspeersupport.org or Arts in Reach https://artsinreach.org in memory of Dino Danakamala.