Steve Pappas, Greene Turtle founder, dies at 72

Steve Pappas, longtime owner of The Greene Turtle, died Wednesday at age 72 from cancer, The Baltimore Banner reported. He started the original Greene Turtle pub in Ocean City as a college student and later expanded the business into a regional sports bar chain with 23 locations across several states, including Maryland.

According to The Baltimore Banner, Pappas and his friend Tommy Dickerson bought the English-style pub in 1981 and opened a Baltimore location in Fells Point five years later. The Greene Turtle grew into a well-known regional franchise with spots in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and Florida.

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan told The Baltimore Sun that Pappas was a beloved local figure who embodied the best of Ocean City. Meehan described Pappas as having a larger-than-life personality and a generous spirit, noting his contributions to the community and local events.

Friends and colleagues remembered Pappas as a passionate and dedicated businessman who never fully retired from his work. He supported local recreation and helped promote lacrosse in the region, according to The Baltimore Banner.

Pappas was originally from Dundalk and moved to the Eastern Shore for college, where he played soccer and lacrosse. His family remains involved in managing The Greene Turtle, continuing his legacy in the Baltimore area and beyond.