Virginia Kardassakis

Virginia “Ginny” Kardassakis passed away peacefully at home on June 2, 2022, at the age of 99 years, eight months and eight days. She is survived by a loving family that includes her sons Jon (Luana) and Dean (Chris); grandchildren Peter (Caitlin), Nicole, Katrina (Christian), and Tessa; great-granddaughter, Kalli; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Ginny was born on September 25, 1922 in Youngstown, Ohio, to Gus and Harriet Gumas, who ran a popular restaurant catering to Youngstown’s steel workers. The Gumas family eventually made its way west to California, where Ginny met Peter Kardassakis at a church social. Pete and Ginny raised their family in San Francisco and were married for 64 years until Pete’s death in 2018 at the age of 102.

In addition to caring for her sons and her home, Ginny worked for many years as a school attendance clerk for the San Francisco United School District. She and Pete loved to travel, and they spent many years taking advantage of military standby flights all over the world, packing one suitcase and hopping on whichever flight piqued their interest. Ginny and Pete also made many trips to Greece to explore and visit extended family.

Family meant everything to Ginny. She doted on her sons and grandchildren and was interested and proud of everything they did. She was front and center at holidays, weddings and family get-togethers; a beloved matriarch who will be deeply missed. Family and friends may visit after 6:00pm with a Trisagion at 7:00pm on Monday, June 13 at Holy Trinity Church, 999 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco. Funeral Service will be on Tuesday, June 14 at 11:00am, also at Holy Trinity. Burial at Greek Orthodox Memorial Park, Colma.

Diego was born March 27, 1943 in Asmara, Ethiopia; grew up in Livorno, Italy; and died February 23, 2022 in Concord, California. He immigrated to the United States in 1961 and became a citizen in 1966. He held dual Italian and U.S. citizenship.

He was a resident of Concord and Rio Vista, California.

He retired as a Senior Transit Supervisor after 34 years of service with San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI).

He was a founding member of The Statue of Liberty Museum.

He was a member of Trilogy Billiards Club, Trilogy Table Tennis Club, and Pleasant Hill Table Tennis Club.

He was an avid fan of European Football (soccer), especially AC Milan.

But of utmost importance to him was his family.

Diego is survived by his loving wife, Susan; devoted daughters Catherine and Carla; adored grandchildren Susan Joy, Benjamin, Bailey and Aidan; as well as his dear sisters Anna, Lidia and Tita. He is predeceased by his brother, Franco.

A celebration of Diego’s life will take place at 2 pm on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in the chapel at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Lafayette. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. to honor Diego’s memory.