CATSIMATIDES, MARY
CHARLESTON, SC (from the Charleston Post & Courier, published on Oct. 30) – Mary Catsimatides, 96, passed away on Friday October 26, 2018, in White Plains, NY. She was born, as she would proudly say, “on the corner of Princess Street and King Street” in Charleston, SC, on November 19, 1921, to her parents Constantine Michael Cockinos and Irene ZapetisCockinos. Mary was a free-spirited and independent woman who gave of herself to many, always had a lively comment to cheer people up, refused to let anything get her down, and loved life itself up until the very end. Her family moved to Charlotte, NC, where she became a beautician and taught Sunday school. Mary always had an adventurous spirit, and in 1954 she travelled to her ancestral home of Nisyros, Greece, where she met and married Michael Anthony Catsimatides. They settled in the Bronx, NY, where she raised her family and assisted him with intellectual and moral support in his successful candidacy for a dissertation at Columbia University in Philosophy and American History. She spent much of her time renovating the lower level of their home, where she did all the construction herself, and transformed it into a hair salon where she worked for many years before accepting a position as a sales consultant in the field of interior design with a window dressing company on Bartow Avenue in the Bronx. Starting in 1980, after the passing of her husband, Mary enjoyed traveling to Greece every year where she would spend several months out planning and rebuilding her mother’s ancestral home on Nisyros. Many close friends and family have fond memories of visiting Mary and coming back with precious stories thanks to Mary’s generous accommodating nature and desire to enjoy everyone’s company and always make even strangers feel at ease. Her last trip to Greece was at the age of 91, which she made by herself! She always liked to say about aging “don’t think of it as an age, think of it as a number,” for even at the end, she surely did not feel, look, nor exude the presence of someone who lived so long. While traveling to Greece, she would often take side trips throughout Europe and the Balkans, by bus, train, taxi, or foot, where her stories of meeting and hanging out with young travelers provided us with many hours of stories and photos of the people and places she visited. In the spring of 1996, after being retired for many years, she decided to move back to her beloved home town of Charleston, SC. Mary joined the prominent group, the Hat Ladies, and proudly displayed a variety of exquisite and unique hats for many causes such as providing assistance to the elderly, children and the sick, all of whom were warmly touched by her gift for buoying up one’s life just by her presence and her cheerful and positive energy. Mary is survived by her sister, PetsaCockinos Schwartz; her daughter, Renee CatsimatidesHoering; her son, Anthony Michael Catsimatides and his wife, Alyson Markell; her granddaughter, Cassis Hoering; and her niece, Constance Schwartz-Morini. She is predeceased by her husband and siblings, Frank Cockinos, Mike Cockinos, and Happy Cockinos. Visitation will be held at the Riverdale Funeral Home in Manhattan, on Tuesday, October 30, from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Funeral Services will be held at Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Yonkers, NY, on Wednesday, October 31, at 11:30am.
CHAKNIS, EVA
ATLANTA, GA (from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, published on Oct. 26) – Eva PoolosChaknis, age 93, of Atlanta, Georgia, died peacefully on Oct 24, 2018. Eva was born in Atlanta, Georgia on Central Avenue to the late Nick P. Poolos and Victoria EliakopoulosPoolos, Greek immigrants from the small village of Nedousa. Victoria died when Eva was two and her father later married Valine Handrinou George, who was a wonderful mother to Eva, her sister Cleo, and brother Pete. Eva graduated from Commercial High and attended Georgia Evening College. Her first job was with Southern Railway, where her greatest memory was of waving a white handkerchief from a window when the funeral train of President Franklin D. Roosevelt came through Atlanta. Condolences may be made at www.asturner.com. Nick Poolos owned a small fruit stand and one day, WWII veteran Mike M. Chaknis, (a very nice Greek boy from a good family) walked in and saw a photo of the lovely Eva. He immediately announced that if this young lady was really this beautiful, he would have to marry her. In 1948, his proclamation came true, and they were happily married for 48 years. They loved tennis, bridge and, in their later years, enjoyed traveling. Eva was devoted to Mike and their two children, Valine and Manuel. She welcomed her children’s friends with humor and pound cake. She returned to the workplace as an Administrative assistant in the Small Business Administration for many years. Eva was deeply proud of her Greek ethnicity and a devoted lifelong member of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation. She served as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, festival volunteer, mailing crew member and member of Philoptochos Society, a philanthropic organization. Long before “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, she too credited Greece with all the world’s great achievements. Her laugh lightened every room that she entered and will always be in our hearts. She is survived by her daughter Valine Georgeson (Stephen) of Atlanta, GA, son, Dr. Manuel M. Chaknis (Suella) of Cape Coral, FL. Brother, Dr. Pete N. Poolos, of Cleveland OH. She was Yiayia to six grandchildren, Vickie Diamond (Brian),of Baltimore MD, Zachary Georgeson (Megan)of Chicago, IL, Alexis Reeves (Alex) of Atlanta, GA, Sophia Chaknis of Chicago, IL, Andrea Chaknis of Chicago, IL and James Chaknis of Boston, MA , great- grandchildren Amalia, Theodore and Graham, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Fountainview Center for Alzheimer’s Disease for their compassionate care . A Prayer service will be held on Friday, October 27 at 7:00 pm, with visitation from 5:00p.m.- 7:00 p.m. at A.S. Turner and Sons . Funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 28 at 11:00 a.m. at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation. Interment at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Philoptochos or the Annunciation Cathedral.
COLLIS, FLOYD JOHN
WASHINGTON, DC (from The Maryland Independent, published on Nov. 2) – It is with great sadness that the family of Floyd John Collis announces his passing at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC on October 4, 2018 at the age of 93 years. Floyd was born in Washington D.C. June 10, 1925 to the late John Collis and Amalia Gartiata. Floyd’s family went back to Greece when he was one month old and he returned to Washington D.C. in 1946. Floyd joined the U.S. Army November 3, 1954 and was honorably discharged October 5, 1956. Floyd made a career as a Master craftsman by using his talent of visualizing and then designing restaurants, homes and nightclubs such as Port Said in Washington, D.C. all without blueprints and plans. He was truly gifted and one of a kind. Floyd will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Torina Collis; son, John Collis and stepson, Michael Singleton. Floyd is also survived by his grandchildren, Johnny Jr., Kimberly and great-grandchildren, Bradley, Caleb, Lily and Arielle. Floyd will also be lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends for Floyd’s Life Celebration Visitation on Wednesday, November 7th from 5-8 p.m. at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Rd, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. Funeral Services will be on Thursday, November 8th at 11 a.m. at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2815 36th Street, NW, Washington, DC. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens, 3221 Mattawoman Beantown Road, Waldorf, MD 20601. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.
KOUTELAS, JOHN
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (from the St. Augustine Record, published on Oct. 25) – John F. Koutelas 89, passed away on Monday, October 15, 2018 at Cornerstone Hospice in Tavares, FL. John was born on July 27 th , 1929. He was a native & lifelong resident of St. Augustine – later moving to the Tarpon Springs area he dearly loved and later to Leesburg, FL. John was an accomplished carpenter; building many houses in St. Augustine in the 1950s and 1960s. He grew up in the shrimp boat building business with his father Emanuel Koutelas. Emanuel came to America as a young man from Kalymnos, Greece as a shrimp boat builder. He married Frances Nix and raised their seven children in St. Augustine. John is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carol; one son, Darren Koutelas (Debra) Leesburg, FL, two daughters, Angie Young (Jimi deceased) and Kathy Maltby (John) St. Augustine; five grandchildren, Darren Koutelas Jr. and Alexandrea Koutelas, Goose Creek, SC, Jeremy Young (Holly), Corey Young (Jena), and Hannah Head (Jared) St. Augustine; and eight great-grandchildren he dearly loved, Walker, Mason & Brooke Young, Cade, Farra and Finley Young and Dawson and Harper Head. John is also survived by one sister, Alice Roberts Dunedin, FL, 2 brothers, George & Earl Koutelas and also many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his two brothers, Jimmy and Emanuel (Irene) and one sister Dora.
John will be remembered and loved by his many wonderful stories and his love for everything Greek. He was very dedicated to the Lord and his family and will be greatly missed. He will remain in our hearts until we meet again. A private service will be held at a later date.
PAPAKONSTANTINO, DEMETRIOS
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (from the San Francisco Chronicle, published on Oct. 25)– Demetrios Papakonstantino passed away on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at the age of 79. Devoted husband to his wife of 55 years, Eugenia; loving father to Stacy, Kathy (Mark) and Peter (Nikol); proud pappou to Maria Eugenia and Demetrios. He is also survived by many relatives in Greece. Born in Fihti, Argos, Greece, he immigrated to the U.S. after high school in 1958. He met Eugenia in San Francisco and after a brief courtship, they married on August 25, 1963. They started a family soon afterward. Demetrios completed college and earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from San Francisco State University. He then launched what would be a successful 40-year career at Del Monte Foods. Hardworking and tireless, he sacrificed and worked two full time jobs for 20 years for the benefit of his wife and three children. Demetrios was a beautiful human being and everyone he touched felt his incredible spirit. He was known for his sense of humor and positive thinking. A man of profound wisdom, family and friends often sought his sage advice. Demetrios was a kind and humble man who always put family first. He enjoyed trips to Greece and watching sports such as boxing, football and soccer, but his greatest pleasure was spending time with his grandchildren whom he adored. The immense love he had for his family is evident in the endless happy memories that will sustain us going forward. He will be greatly missed by all. The Trisagion will be on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 7:00pm. The Funeral Service will be on Friday at 11:15am. Both the Trisagion and the Funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 999 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco, CA 94132. Donations may be made to Holy Trinity Church.
SAKKIS, THEODORE
CASTRO VALLEY, CA (from the East Bay Times, published on Oct. 25) – Theodore “Ted” John Sakkis October 31, 1937 – October 22, 2018. Resident of Castro Valley, Ted passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren on October 22, 2018 after a graceful battle with ALS. Ted was born in Pireaus, Greece to IoannisSakkis and VasilikiDouros. Ted spent his early years helping to support his family and attending school studying mechanics. Starting at the age of 18, Ted spent ten years working as an engineer on various ships traveling the world. Ted also served in Greece’s Royal Navy from 1960 to 1962. Ted immigrated to Oakland in 1968 and very soon after was introduced to his future wife, Maria Tsingaris. Ted and Maria were married in May 1969 and embarked on a near 50 year friendship and marriage filled with love, faith, and family, including their three children John, Manoli, and Vicki. Ted’s favorite career was as a travel agent at his Apollon Travel Service in the Dimond District of Oakland, a business he ran for 25 years. Ted was a devoted believer in Orthodoxy and his faith in God was strong. He served over 20 years as cantor at the Ascension Cathedral and his beautiful voice is remembered by many. Ted emulated his faith in all his interactions and is remembered as a generous and kind soul who touched many lives in a myriad of ways. Ted is survived by his wife Maria, children John (Carolyn), Manoli, Vicki (Angelo Limnios), and granddaughters – Marina, Nikoletta, Katie, and Lexi. He is also survived by his siblings Peter, Costa, Vivi, Angelo, Nico, and Sofia and their families. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, a younger sister Sofia, and his brother Dimitrios. A Trisagion service will be held on Thursday October 25 at 7:00pm and the funeral service on Friday at 12 noon, both at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension, 4700 Lincoln Ave in Oakland. Interment will occur at Mt. View Cemetery with the Makaria following at the Resurrection Greek Church in Castro Valley, 20104 Center St in Castro Valley. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Monastery of the Holy Theotokos the Life Giving Spring, PO Box 549, Dunlap, CA 93621. For further information, please call Harry W. Greer, Funeral Director (FDR-745).
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