Kotsogiannis, John Janis
Born in Magganitis, Ikaria, Greece in 1924 to the late Nikolaos and Rozina Manolis Kotsogiannis fell asleep in the Lord peacefully on July 25, 2016. He was born the first of 7 siblings: the late Maria, the late Triantaphilos, Koula, Magdala, the late George, the late Eleftherios. He married Catherine Collias in 1952, taking into his heart and arms her two children from a previous marriage, George (Judy) Janis and Diana Janis (Rodney) Matthews and fathered Rozina Janis (Demetrios) Karnavas and Nicki Janis Vessol. After Catherine’s death in 1969, Ourania Koutsogiannis was by his side for many years. John was a loving grandfather to Joe (Nina), Korcheck, Peter John (Despina) Karnavas, Cathy Janis (Greg) Castellano, Cristina Janis (Geoff), Constantine Vessol and 6 great-grandchildren. He left behind many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends here and in Greece.
John left home at age 13 (as most boys did in 1937) to work on his uncle’s boat. It was there he learned strong lessons in patience, servitude, gratitude and unexpected reward. His ship was sunk in 1941 by a German Stuka Divebomber. Later in the same year, his next ship was confiscated by the Germans. He was imprisoned in Turkey and strafed by the British. In 1947 he received his Captain’s diploma and was almost capsized by a typhoon. Ultimately, he came to Chicago, where he was welcomed by fellow Kariotes, met and married his wife Catherine, opened the Maryland Coffee Shop and operated it until all the neighboring businesses closed. The Manta family offered him work in their industrial painting business and he remained eternally grateful to them and to their children. In 1957, he joined the Masonic Hellenic Lodge, later to be inducted into the Scottish Rite and Shriners. John was particularly proud to be a Mason and a Shriner.
He founded Atlantic Painting Company (industrial painting) with the help of family and friends and was proud to say that he knew all the bridges in and around Chicago and had probably painted each one at least twice. He joined AHEPA and served many years on the Saints Constantine and Helen Church Board. John served the local chapter of Ikarians as President and moved on to the National Brotherhood and eventually served as the Foundation Chairman for many years, proud of its many philanthropic endeavors.
John’s great dream was to travel the islands of Greece, which he was blessed to do and to spend time in his home village of Magganitis, on his beloved island of Ikaria. He was kind and considerate, with a steady gaze, a twinkle in his eye, a ready wink and always a firm handshake.
Success means many things; above all, it includes a feeling of satisfaction and gratification for the life one leads. Through his hard work, journeys and experiences, John has seen the world and benefited from its gifts.With kindness and determination he tried to give back in the same manner. Rest in peace, Captain John.
Visitation Thursday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m., with a 6:00 p.m. Trisagion Service at The Curley Funeral Home, 6116 west 111th Street, Chicago Ridge. Friends and family asked to meet Friday morning directly at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church 11025 South Roberts Road at 9:45 for the 10:00 a.m. Funeral Service. Orrico Kourelis Funeral Services Inc., directing. MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL! In lieu of flowers, memorials to be made to Pan-Icarian Foundation, Post Office Box 79037, Pittsburgh, PA 15216-0037 and Father Byron’s Koraes Student Assistance, 11025 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills 60465. For information 708-422-2700 or www.orricofuneral.com