John Athanasios Perahoritis

John Athanasios Perahoritis, 86, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 9, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri.

John was born on February 6, 1932 in Corinthos, Greece. He was the son of Athanasios N. and Konstantina (Economou) Perahoritis. As he was growing up he helped on the family orchard, where they grew apricots, grapes and olives. They would press the olives for olive oil and prepare the grapes for wine. The Greek government sent him to California in 1961 to learn how to make wine. While he was in the States he visited family and friends from his village that were living in Kansas City. He brought them gifts from Greece for their enjoyment.

During his stay he was introduced to a young lady named Geneva from Moberly, Missouri at a Valentine’s Day Church Dance. From that first encounter he knew that she was to be his wife. He asked permission to stay from Greece and returned their fee. They were married shortly thereafter. They settled in Kansas City to be with the Greek Community and to be closer to family and friends. They started their family and he worked in Food Products and eventually became the owner/operator of a chain of submarine sandwich shops called Mr. Submarine.

He was a member and Cantor at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and St. Dionysios Greek Orthodox Christian Church. He was also a lifelong member of AHEPA and was awarded AHEPA member of the year.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Geneva. He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Kathryn Hauptmann and husband, Dr. Edward Hauptmann and their children, Teddy, Evie, Katia and Christoff; son, Athan Perahoritis and wife Patti Perahoritis and their children, Zoie, Sophia and Yianni; daughter, Connie Redmond and husband, Paul Redmond and their children, Emilie, Spencer and Vivian, brothers, Niko and Christos Perahoritis, sister, Panayota Giannitis, nieces, nephews and extended family.