Petros Gianasmidis

PETROS “PETE” GIANASMIDIS, 79 of Laughlin, NV, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2026 after battling CLL Leukemia and Pneumonia. He was born December 25, 1946, in Sevasti, Perias, Greece, son of Alexios and Zoe Gianasmidis. He was the youngest of four siblings, Vasilli, Anesti and Ellie who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth (Barbas) Gianasmidis, James Barbas brother-in-law, nephews Christoper Barbas and wife Jennifer of Dearborn, Michigan, James Barbas and wife Courtney and sons Ari, Maks, and Cass of Howell, Michigan, nieces Katherine Teany of Madison Heights, Michigan and Denise Vangel of Fullerton, California and a host of nieces and nephews in Switzerland and Greece. His parents were tobacco farmers and after leaving the farm to join the Greek Navy for two years, he served and was stationed on the island of Rhodes, a greek navy seal and an excellent swimmer. After serving his country and honorably discharged, he left for Switzerland to join his brothers where they moved from Greece to Switzerland for work and a better way of life. He was there for six months or more and decided to work as a merchant marine seaman. He sailed to Brazil, Argentina, and Japan. Once the ship sailed to the United States and docked in Boston, Massachusetts, he jumped ship and ended up in New York City. He walked the streets in New York until he ended up in the Greek district and landed a job as a dishwasher. Not speaking English, he learned quickly with the help of an employee where he worked and was taken in and given a place to live. Several months later, he was caught by immigration and deported back to Greece but paid his own way back to Greece. Several months after returning to Greece, he traveled again to Switzerland and lived a short time with his brother Anesti and his family. He applied for a visa to Canada and left Switzerland again and ended up in Toronto, Canada for six months and eventually going to Windsor, Canada. Wanting to be in the United States, and being the great swimmer he was from his naval days, he swam across the Detroit River at night and let the current carry him down the river. He was trying to swim across but ended getting out of the water near the Ambassador bridge. He then called his good friend George Kaltsis. George was a cab owner/driver and knew Jim Barbas, Pete’s brother-in-law and asked Jim to give Pete, a fellow Greek friend, a job. Working for Jim, Pete learned the streets in Detroit quickly, and became close with Jim’s family, married Jim’s sister Elizabeth and after marrying decided to become a legal resident in 1986 and applied for his green card. A few short years later, he bought Jim’s taxi license and car and was in business for himself as a owner/driver for Detroit Cab Company. His Greek buddies called him “Taxi” his nickname. Pete and Elizabeth moved to Las Vegas, Nevada after her retirement from the City of Detroit where she started a new career with Clark County, Nevada. He sold his cab and the house to join her. He stayed with Jim until he moved to be with Elizabeth in Henderson, Nevada where she rented a condo. He worked a short time for Golden Gaming as a gaming host at various grocery stores in Vegas. Once their lease was up Jim asked them to move to Laughlin and being family, they would live together. Pete loved horse racing and frequented the race tracks in Detroit. He loved Soccer and almost went professional while living in Switzerland. He loved football, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers but gave it up to play “Jackpot Party and Hit It Rich” on his laptop when he moved to Nevada. He made friends easily and enjoyed being retired. He was a simple man and enjoyed the quiet life.

A Viewing will be held at King David Memorial Chapel, 2697 E Eldorado Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89120 from 12 Noon to 2:00pm with a graveside service and burial.

He will be laid to rest Friday, August 7, at Palm Eastern Cemetery, 7600 S. Eastern, Las Vegas, Nevada. At his request, in lieu of flowers donations to the American Cancer Society.