Maria Kanakos

Maria was preceded in death by her husband, Gus Kanakos. She is survived by her daughter Katherine and son-in-law Angelo Marra, her granddaughter Maria Errigo (Derek Errigo), her granddaughter Margarita Kefalas (August Restle), her brother George Antiaris (Stella Antiaris), nephews Nick and Angelo Antiaris, and her grand fur baby Venus.

Maria was a brave and beautiful woman who left Greece alone at the young age of 18 to pursue a better life. After her long voyage by sea to North America, she stayed with family in Montreal before finally settling in New York. Maria met Gus, a charming Greek-American World War II Veteran and they were married three months later in July of 1960. Thereafter, Maria brought her parents, Nikos and Evgenia, along with her brother, George, to the United States.

Despite Greek being her first language, Maria learned to speak, read and write English on her own. Gus always commented that Maria’s intelligence and keen insight made her a "Philadelphia lawyer." Maria was quick to make friends and totally acclimate to the lifestyle of New York.

Maria was a loving mother to Kathy, and gave her the best upbringing any mother can give. She was known affectionately as MommaBear to her daughter and son-in-law. She, with her husband Gus, helped raise their grandchildren, Maria and Margarita. There was no stronger advocate than Yiayia for her daughter and granddaughters. She was a caretaker at heart, and loved her family deeply. As a true matriarch, she ensured that her family was well taken care of (including gourmet home cooked meals), spending quality time with them, and ultimately shaping her daughter and granddaughters into the women they have become. To understand the love and dedication to her family, it could be simply demonstrated when Maria would show up at after school pick-up for her granddaughters with a “tigani” (a frying pan) to make sure there was a home cooked meal to enjoy before going to the local playground.

Throughout her life, Maria's Greek Orthodox faith was beautiful, admirable and unwavering. Maria’s strong sense of faith was passed down to her family and was the best gift she could give them.

“MommaBear and Yiayia - You can take the place of all others, but no one can ever take your place. Your family will forever love you and your memories will be a guiding light forever in our lives.”

A visitation for Maria will be held Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Chas. Peter Nagel Funeral Directors, 352 East 87th Street, Apt 1824, New York, NY 10128. A funeral will occur Friday, June 13, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, 337 E 74th St, New York, NY 10021. A committal will occur Friday, June 13, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Cypress Hills Cemetery, 833 Jamaica Ave, New York, NY 11208.

Contributions in Maria's memory may be made to American Cancer Society, Cancer.org/dignitymemorial or to a charity of your choice.