DENNY (DEMOSTHENES) G. ARVANITES, 77,

a veteran of the department store retail industry, died of pulmonary failure in Green Valley on April 30, 2008.

Mr. Arvanites joined Federated Department Stores in Dayton, Ohio in 1955 as an executive trainee. He and his family later relocated to Dallas, Texas with Federated. Mr. Arvanites rose to the position of vice president. In 1971, he returned to Ohio to head May Company Department Store in Cleveland as its president, subsequently serving as its chairman. In 1978, Mr. Arvanites joined the Halle Brothers division of Marshall Fields. He served as its president and CEO until its sale in 1981.

Mr. Arvanites remained in the Cleveland area for many years serving as an industry consultant to privately held regional department store chains. Mr. Arvanites also took time to pursue his passions for sailing and animal rescue. He served in volunteer capacities with Public Broadcasting, the Cleveland Playhouse, Planned Parenthood, the Humane Society and The Animal League of Green Valley.

In 1998, Mr. Arvanites and his wife Holly Adler Arvanites relocated to Green Valley to enjoy the desert and mountains which had brought them together in 1953 while both were in Albuquerque, N.M. - he in the U.S. Army and she attending college.

Prior to his tour in the Armed Services, Mr. Arvanites attended Cornell University. He was born in 1930 in Newark, N.J.

Mr. Arvanites is survived by Holly, his wife of 53 years; his daughter Holly Kiskaddon of Scottsdale; his son Doug Arvanites of Plano, Texas; and two grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to The Humane Society/ www.hsus.org or The Animal League of Green Valley/ www.talgv.org