John Andrew Cookorinis, or “Yianni” as he was known in Greek, was born in Athens, Greece. He was the son of school principal Andreas and homemaker Ourania Cookorinis, and as the eldest son followed in his father’s footsteps, also becoming an educator. After growing up in Greece and traveling with his father to his different teaching assignments, John attended the University of Athens and graduated with a degree in physics. While studying there he met the love of his life, Nina Berdanis, who was then visiting on the island of Skopelos, his and her home island and family center.
It was love at first sight and they were married within the month, on New Year’s Eve in 1961, in a traditional village wedding in Glossa, Skopelos, Greece. John and Nina settled in Montgomery in 1962 and in their 61 years of marriage were both active in the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, where John served faithfully as a chanter during liturgy and on the parish council many times, playing a leading role in many church Labor Day barbecue and food festival fundraiser events through the years. John was also an active AHEPAN and served as District One Governor from 1974-75. He was honored both by the Montgomery community and by Metropolitan Alexios with awards at Archangel Michael celebrations commemorating Greek Orthodox service.
Professionally John earned a Master’s in Physics at Auburn, then taught with Nina at Alexander City State Junior College in the early years of their marriage. They opened Yanneen Jewelers after discovering they shared a passion for gems and minerals. John loved creating beautiful jewelry and became well known in Montgomery for designing one-of-a-kind pieces. After retiring, they spent long stretches each year at their home in Klima, Skopelos, where they enjoyed their garden, their family and friends, and the beautiful view.
John loved his church and his family most of all. He is survived by wife Nina, daughter Cherie, (Marios OConnell), grandchildren Nina Patronis and Sofia and Maria OConnell, and brothers Dr. George Cookorinis (Argy) and Evangelos Koukorinis (Stella) in Greece.
A visitation for John will be held Wednesday, October 13, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Leak Memory Chapel, 945 Lincoln Rd, Montgomery, Alabama 36109. A funeral service will occur Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 1721 Mt. Meigs Rd., Montgomery, AL 36107.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the Cookorinis family.
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