Doucas James Goranites

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – Duke Goranites, devoted husband and father, beloved papou, sibling, and friend to many, moved to be with the Lord on Feb. 16, 2025, in Florida, surrounded by his wife and children.

Born in Lewiston, he was the son of James and Mary Goranites. He graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn, class of 1961, where he was 1959 state champion heavyweight wrestler and excelled in football and track and field. He was a Rod Benders car club charter member. Duke graduated from Bentley School of Accounting and Finance, Boston, in 1965 with a B.S. in accounting, where he served on the student council and building committee for the move to Waltham, Mass., where Bentley University now stands. Duke was featured in the Boston Globe as having gained free admission on ladies’ night at Fenway Park as a fashionably dressed companion for his roommate.

Duke held fast to his friends. He was inseparable from his childhood friend, Peter Snowe, whose countless adventures are legendary. Duke was an agricultural and financial consultant for 60 years with his friend and colleague Jack DeCoster. He oversaw operations for dairy, cattle, hog, chicken, and egg production across a dozen states on a scale and complexity rarely appreciated by others.

Duke was larger than life, understated, an avid reader, quick with a smile and always generous to a fault with his time, talents, and resources. He never missed an opportunity to host or gather with family. He loved trains and was the owner and conductor of his own railroad, and was an aspiring woodworker.

Never idle, Duke was active in many civic, charitable, and religious organizations in Maine, Ohio, and Florida. He was a member of city bicentennial committees, school board, 32nd degree Mason of the Ancient Brothers Temple, Shriners, city and county Republican committees, and the Lions Clubs. He served as past chapter president of the Androscoggin Shrine Club and past chapter president of Harrison Lion’s Club, District Governor of Lions in 2010-2011, and a national recipient of the Melvin Jones Award. He served on the parish council and as treasurer and president of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lewiston. Ever the forward thinker, during which the Lewiston parish built a new church and parish house, added an elevator, established an endowment fund, launched the ever-popular Greek festival, and purchased a section of Oak Hill Cemetery in Auburn for use by the parishioners.

After relocating to Florida in 2014, Duke continued his civic involvement with the Sahib Shrine. He also served as treasurer and president of the Parish Council of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Sarasota, Fla. During his time at St. Barbara, Duke also chaired the building of a new dome, established an Endowment Fund, and assisted with purchasing a section of Palm Gardens cemetery for parishioners.

Duke is survived by his wife of 53 years, Charlene (Rallis) Goranites. Their first date was on Halloween, and Duke loved to inform everyone that he was “tricked” while Charlene was “treated”.

He is survived by his daughters, Eleni Goranites (Sheldon) and Angela Nicolopoulos (George); and granddaughters, Ellie and Chloe; siblings, Antonia Spirounias (Charlie), Georgia Chomas, Kyriaki Harrington (John), Olympia Snowe (Jock), and Peter Goranites (Rosemary); as well as many, many adored nephews/nieces; grandnephews and nieces; godchildren; friends, and a close Florida friend, Art Sitka.

Internment in Oak Hill Cemetery will be in the spring.

Those wishing to make contributions in Duke’s memory may be made to

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

Endowment Fund

155 Hogan Rd.

Lewiston, ME 04240