Obituaries - KATSAROS, KALAMARIS, KONAS, MANIATIS, PALOUMPIS, PAPADOPOULOS, PAPPAS, STOLAKIS, VOLANAKIS, DERIZOTIS - National Herald, Feb 11, 2006

The following obituaries and article were published in the February 11, 2006 issue of The National Herald.  I am providing them as a possible tool for Hellenic genealogy research.

-----

John KATSAROS, Popular Teacher who Captivated his Students in Chicago Classrooms, Passes Away at 64

by Anne Marie Mannion, Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO - John Katsaros, a well-respected teacher for 28 years at East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, was both a dynamic force in the classroom and a nonconformist. 

He refused to shave his beard when school administrators asked him to in the early 1970's, and he donated his body for scientific study and wrote his own eulogy. 

"Even in death, he was a teacher. He talked about honesty, integrity and optimism," said Betty Katsaros, his wife of 12 years. 

"As a father, he was a teacher. He didn't stand for lying, and doing anything halfway was not allowed," said his daughter, Stephanie. 

Mr. Katsaros, 64, died on Tuesday, January 24, of lung cancer in Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. 

The son of Greek immigrants, Mr. Katsaros was born in Chicago in 1941. After graduating from Lindblom High School, he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, where he received a bachelor's degree in History, a teaching certificate and a master's degree in Social Science. 

He married Panagiota Moshovos in 1968. The couple had four children before the marriage ended. 

Mr. Katsaros taught for two years at a junior high school in Steger before taking a job at East Leyden High School, where he remained until his retirement in 1996. 

"He was never afraid to speak his mind, and was always quick with a joke. I learned a lot from him," said Steve Joyce, who graduated from East Leyden in 1983. 

Betty Katsaros married Mr. Katsaros in 1994. On one of their first dates, they went dancing. "I liked his openness. He was a great dancer. He did the jitterbug, and I love to dance,"she said. 

His daughter said her father had endearing quirks, like a preference for wearing penny loafers and for drinking V.O. Manhattans on the rocks with a twist. While raising his family, he also worked second jobs including keeping time during school wrestling matches and as a bartender at banquet halls. 

In addition, Mr. Katsaros was activities director at the high school for 20 years. 

Although she did not attend East Leyden, Stephanie said she had occasion to visit his classroom. "He was the kind of teacher that, when the bell rang, the students didn't rush out. They were still listening to him," she said. 

Mr. Katsaros lived in Hoffman Estates, Burr Ridge, Darien and, most recently, in Oak Lawn. In retirement, he followed the White Sox and Chicago Bears, traveled and watched "Jeopardy" every day with his wife. 

In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by two more daughters, Kim Isberg and Melanie Koehnen; a son, Alex; a sister, Connie Condrell; and two grandchildren. 

The Chicago Tribune published the above on February 4. The original headline is, “John Katsaros, 1941-2006, a Force in the Classroom: Teacher captivated his students, refusing to shave his beard in the '70's and promoting honesty, integrity and optimism.”

----------

KALAMARIS, John. - Beloved husband of the late Flemmie, nee DiBasilio; loving father of William (Corey), Mark (Kathy) and Perry (Vicky) Kalamaris; proud grandfather of Billy (Maggie) and John P. Kalamaris; great-grandfather of Madison and Marissa; dear brother of Markela (the late Christo) Bergos, Anna (the late Tom) Alexiou, Nick (the late Helen) and the late Eleftheria and Steve (the late Esther); fond uncle of many nieces and nephews. Former member of Chios Society. Former Treasurer of the parish council of Holy Trinity Church and St. Haralambos Church. Family and friends met February 7 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, in Chicago for Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, donations to Holy Trinity Church would be appreciated.

----------

KONAS, “Chris” Christos. - Age 57; calling hours were on Monday, February 6, 2006, at the funeral home; funeral service Tuesday, February 7, 2006, Service in Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1319 Main St., Fitchburg, MA. Died Friday, February 3, 2006.

----------

MANIATIS, John E. - Age 90; longtime businessman and community leader; died on Saturday January 21 at the Berkshire Medical Centerin Pittsfield, MA after a brief illness. Born in Langadia, Greece on July 1, 1915, son o Efthemios and Vasiliki Karapanayiotis Maniatis, he attended schools in Greece and Pittsfield, after immigrating to the U.S. in 1929. He was a Navy veteran of World WarII. Mr. Maniatisstarted his restaurant career at the former Wendell Hotel in Pittsfield, serving as a waiter and bartender.In 1947, he became co-owner with his brother Christo Maniatis of Johnny's Restaurant. When it was forced to close because of urban renewal, the pair opened Christo's. They sold that restaurant in 1969 and opened Johnny's in Allendale in 1970. He retired in 1995. He was appointed to the Pittsfield Traffic Commission by the late Mayor Raymond L. Haughey and served one term. He was a communicant and active member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Pittsfield serving on the board for many years. The church established a scholarship fund in his name. He was an active member of the Order of AHEPA,serving his chapterin all positions. He served as District Governor of Yankee District #7 and was elected Supreme Governor. He was also elected AHEPA of the Year of District #7. Mr. Maniatis received many local and national awards for his participation in the Greek Community. He was especially proud of receiving the Metropolis of Boston Laity Award by His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston. He leaves two sons, Timothy J. Maniatis of Bethesda, MD and Peter J. Maniatis of Pittsfield; a brother Christo of Pittsfield; and two sisters, Helen Papas of Pittsfield and Demetra Kandianis of W. Barnstable, MA named six grandchildren. Donation may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 73 Bradford St. Pittsfield, MA in his memory.

----------

PALOUMPIS, Andreas A. Dr. - Age 80; former president of Hillsborough Community College, passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2006, at his home. At the time of his death, he was vice president of Collegiate Enterprise Solutions, LLC. He served as president of HCC 1983-1997, coming here from Onondaga Community College in New York, where he served as president 1977-1983. Prior to that, he was founding president of Winston Churchill College. He also served as interim president of Luzerne Community College in Pennsylvania 2000-2002. He is survived by his wife, Bess; son, Tom, and wife, Jenny Abene Paloumpis, and their children, Andy and Laura; son, Evan, and wife, Linda, and their daughter, Michelle; sister, Presbytera Dr. Mary Hallick of Milwaukee, Wis.; and brother, Hercules Paloumpis of Minonk, Ill. Services took place on Monday, February 6, at St. John Greek Orthodox Church in Tampa, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made to the altar fund at St. John's Greek Orthodox Church in Tampa.

----------

PAPADOPOULOS, Georgia. - Age 79; of Portage, IN (formerly of Phoenix, AZ) passed away February 1. She is survived by her children Christos Papadopoulos, Magdaline (Marko) Karakozis, Vasilios Papadopoulos; grandchildren Chrisovalantou and Lazaros Karakozis; one sister, Kaiti Koumbourl and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Laznos. Visitation with Trisagion service were held Friday, February 3 at Paradise Sunset Chapel Funeral Home in Phoenix, AZ. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 4 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Phoenix, AZ.

----------

PAPPAS, Mary C. - Age 99; passed away Saturday, January 14, 2006 at home, with the love and comfort of her family and friends around her. Born in Gevgeliija in the former Yugoslavia, she was the daughter of Efthemia and Petro Saizovitch. She was a devoted wife to Christo Pappas, who passed away on November 26, 1963. Mary and her husband together owned and operated the Pappas Grocery in North Albany. She was warm, affectionate and caring, had a passion for religious readings, cooking and sewing and place family and her church above all. Mary issurvived by her three children, John Pappas (Stella) of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Helen Cholakis (Nicholas) of Latham and Peter Pappas (Maria) of Loudonville; her six grandchildren, Christian Pappas (Kathy) of Chicago, Ill., Peter Cholakis of Delray Beach, Fla., Stephanie Stephan (Karl) of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., George Cholakis (Maria) of Waterford, Christopher Cholakis of Niskayuna, Kristen Kurtz (David) of Winchester, Mass.; her five greatgrandchildren, Estelle and Ian Pappas, Christopher and Peter Stephan, Anna Cholakis. A funeral service was held on Thursday, January 19, 2006 at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, Albany, NY. Contributions in Mary's memory may be made to a memorial fund established in her name at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 440 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY 12208 to benefit the church.

----------

STOLAKIS, John. - February 2, 2006, age 90. Loving husband of Dimitroula for 67 years. Dearfather of Vasilios "Bill" (Margaret), Christos (Evanthia), Dimitrios "James", Nancy Kalis (Dorotheos), Alkinoos "Al" and the late Eleni and Joan. Grandfather of seven and great-grandfather of nine. Also survived by sister, Marina Bitzas and sisters and brothers in Greece. Funeral Service Saturday, February 11 at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 11455 Metro Pkwy. Memorial Tributes St. John Church.

----------

VOLANAKIS, Mary. - Age 86; of 35 Forest Glen died Monday in Baystate Medical Center in West Springfield, MA. Mary was born and has lived in Springfield most of her life. She was a co-owner of the former West Springfield Motel on Riverdale Str. and also worked for the Red Cross. She was a member of St. George Greek Orth. Cathedral where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir for many years. She was a member of the Philoptochos Ladies Society, the Cretan Ladies Society and the Order of the Eastern Star. After her retirement she traveled extensively for over 15 years. She leaves two brothers Peter G. and his wife Freda Volanakis of Erie, PA, and John C. Volanakis of West Springfield. She also leaves her niece Sandra Hanson of Cleveland, OH; and two nephews George Volanakis and his wife Ruth of Kingstown, RI., Peter Volanakis and his wife Cathryn of Corning NY. Service at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Donations may be made to the St. George Cathedral Building Fund, 22 St. George Place, Springfield, MA 01104.

----------

Paris "Pete" DERIZOTIS, Politiican Par Excellence, Passes Away at 74

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) - Paris "Pete" Derizotis' wife had started a biography detailing the former state representative and magistrate judge's life. Now, Wanda Derizotis says she won't be able to collaborate with him. 

Pete Derizotis died on Wednesday, January 18, from liver and kidney failure. He was 74. 

He had a kidney operation in 2001, and during the first two weeks of this year, he had been a patient at the University of New Mexico Hospital. 

On Jan 15, the family decided to take him home, his wife said Saturday. 

Pete Derizotis was a magistrate judge in Gallup for 18 years and in Farmington for two years. He was a state lawmaker in the 1970's. 

Gallup Mayor Bob Rosebrough said Derizotis was the "classic" Gallup personality. "I have never known anyone who enjoyed the art of politics as much as he did," Rosebrough said. 

Derizotis was born in Kutsapogi, Greece. When he arrived in Gallup in the 1950's, he still had a heavy accent, and his friends said it became part of his personality throughout his career. 

His wife bragged about his cooking skills - Mexican, Italian, Greek, Chinese - he could cook it all, she said. 

Pete Derizotis worked in restaurants since his early days in Gallup and even owned some restaurants in the area. 

Wanda Derizotis said she still plans to finish the biography, only know she'll have to rely on his many friends for the information. 

"It's going to be a tribute to him, and people will see what a terrific guy, and what a character, he was" she said. "He was one of a kind." 

Visitation was held on January 21-22 at the Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home in Farmington. A rosary service was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church on January 22 with the funeral service afterwards. 

The Associated Press posted the above on January 21. The original headline is, “Former Magistrate Judge, State Representative Dies.”
----------