John Sakoutis

He leaves behind his daughter Christine Sakoutis and Son-In-Law George Katsiashvili of Staten Island, New York. His wife, Artemis Sakoutis (nee Anastasy) predeceased him in 2007.

Also surviving are his sister, Celia Apostolakos and her children George and Muna Apostolakos, Steven and Brigitte Apostolakos and their children Isabel, Vivian and Alexandra, Calli and Gus Triculis and their children John Paul and his wife Valerie, Alexander Triculis, Adam Triculis and his wife Jaclyn, and Lia Triculis as well as his Sister-In-Law Stella Sakoutis and her children Thalia and Paul Sampson and their children Christopher and Michael, and Michael and Beth Sakoutis along with their children Zachary Sakoutis, Stephanie and Robert Seerly and their children Michael and Reese. Also surviving are his nephew Christopher Drake and his wife Mercedes and niece Valerie Drake and John Greenwell.

All were beloved by John.

He is also loved by many other family members, cousins and friends on multiple continents around the world.

He was born in the tiny bucolic mountain town of Plagia on the island of Ikaria in Greece. His family immigrated to the United States when he was a toddler, with his brother and sister being born in the US shortly after.

His family was one of the millions to come to the US through Ellis Island. They lived in various locations throughout New York City. John later married and he and his wife Artemis "Artie" eventually settled in Staten Island to raise their daughter Christine.

John graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Baruch College (CUNY) in New York City. He proudly served in the US Army during the Korean War and served overseas in the Far East in the Signal Corps with the rank of Corporal and earned a National Defense Service Medal, later being honorably discharged as a Disabled American Veteran.

After the war John became employed in the New York State Court System where he worked in Manhattan Criminal Court, first as a Uniformed Court Officer then rising up through the ranks to Senior Court Clerk and eventually attaining the title of Assistant Chief Clerk of the Criminal Court for the City of New York. He ran the Summons Parts for NY City until he retired in 1990. In 2004 he relocated to his beachside condo on Sand Key Beach in Clearwater, Florida.

John lived his long life to the fullest. He was known for his generosity, great spirit, a love of all things Greek and was very active with his family as well as the Greek Church. In Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Staten Island, NY he served on the parish council for many years. In Clearwater, Florida he again served at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church until the time of his death, doing whatever he could to help the church succeed and grow. He helped to build new churches in each location.

He was very active in the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood in both New York and Florida as well as serving as the Supreme President for the international organization.

In all things he did he left a legacy of hard work, success and devotion.

A gentle man by nature he was nevertheless known for his booming voice, fondly known as the John locator system. You always knew when he was around and with his voice he was easily found.

He was a great conversationalist and would captivate people with conversation, his stories always interesting and his endless stories of adventures, funny.

He loved animals, and that love passed to his daughter. He, his wife and his daughter also loved to travel and through their years they travelled to many locations around the world. Every time brought adventure and funny, funny stories.

John was honored many times throughout in his career as well as in the church and in his club. Wherever he went he left positive feelings. He lived his life with a passion and on his own terms. He lived it honestly and he lived it well.

He will be waked on Thursday, January 9th from 5 to 9 pm at the Sylvan Abbey Funeral home at 2853 Sunset Point Road in Clearwater, Florida with the Trisagion between 7 and 7:30 pm.

The funeral service is the next day at 11 am and will be the first funeral to be held at the magnificent new church John helped to build along with the other parishioners at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church at 409 S. Old Coachman Road in Clearwater.

The Committal Service and burial will follow at the Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park across from their funeral home from 12:30 to 1 pm.

The traditional Greek meal called the Makaria follows and it will be held at the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of America Helios Chapter Hall at 1476 Pinehurst Road in Dunedin, Florida.

The family appreciates any and all forms of honoring John whether it be with prayers, notes, shared memories, flowers or donations to charities in his honor. John was partial to the following:

*Pan-Icarian Brotherhood Helios #19, P.O. Box 490, Pinehurst Road, Dunedin, FL 34697

*Holy Trinity Capital Campaign, 409 S. Old Coachman Road, Clearwater, FL 33765

*Saving The Florida Panther/Big Cat Rescue, 12802 Easy Street, Tampa, FL 33625

Anyone requiring further info may call or text 917-808-5437.