John George Papanastasiou

It is with sadness yet faith in our Lord’s Resurrection, we announce the passing of John George Papanastasiou. John, a loving husband, father (Baba), grandfather (Pappou), son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday March 16th, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

John was born on August 19th, 1937, in Thebes, Greece, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, to George and Konstantina Papanastasiou. He was the third of four children, with twin older brothers Alexandros (Aleko) and Panagiotis (Pete), and a younger sister Othini, who all still reside in their home village of Loutoufi, Greece, just outside of Thebes.

John’s mother Konstantina passed away when he was a young boy. John’s widowed father struggled to make ends meet as times were tough in the village in postwar Greece. His older brothers Aleko and Pete had to step up and forgo school for work on the family farm at a young age. But John strongly preferred school over the farm, he often would be found hiding up in a tree with his favorite book studying.

Even though John’s father George was a farmer, he was still able to help his cousin, Katina Dritshulas, move to America after her village of Hostia, Greece was completely destroyed by fire following German occupation during WW2. Katina, in turn repaid a great favor to her cousin George by sponsoring his son John to come to America and raise him there.

This was the start of John’s life in America. He was only 17 when he started the 2-week journey by ship from the port of Piraeus, Greece to New York in 1955. From NYC, he traveled by train to Havre, Montana, where Katina was anxiously waiting for him. Katina had sponsored her younger brother Angelo Angelou to come from Greece in 1951 to live with her, and she was also raising her own young daughter, Anastasia Dritshulas.

John didn't speak any English, he quickly had to learn in high school. John immediately began work while going to school at Havre Montana High. He worked shifts with the Great Northern Railroad to earn money to repay his cousin Katina for helping him immigrate to America. After graduating from Havre High School in 1958, John enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard where he served for 5 years. He learned many skills including commanding a tank. He was very proud to serve in the military of his new home and country.

John was a great student, and excelled in school and in particular math, which led him to pursue a degree in Engineering. He followed the footsteps of his cousin Angelo and enrolled at the University of Washington. John graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Upon graduation, John worked as a Civil Engineer with the City of Seattle Water Department, helping to engineer and improve much of Seattle's municipal drinking water system. He was proudly employed with the city until his retirement 34 years later in 2002.

Outside of his career, John had a passion for soccer. He played for several years on competitive local teams during the 70’s with his close friends. His team was awarded the 1972-73 undefeated championship in Central Seattle.

John soon continued the tradition of helping his family and sponsored his older brother Pete to come to America. Pete arrived in the late 70’s and John helped him find work at Burlington Northern Railway in the Interbay neighborhood of Seattle, where Pete worked for many years. Pete was also a great addition to the soccer team.

A few years after completing his education, John proudly became the father of two boys, George John Papanastasiou and Konstantinos “Gus” John Papanastasiou. Like his father, John found himself raising his 2 young boys on his own. John did everything with his 2 sons, including camping, fishing trips to Kalaloch, WA, road trips to Disneyland, and most importantly, coaching both of his boys’ soccer teams. John was known as “Coach Pappas” to all the boys' friends in elementary school, many of whom are still best friends and even business partners today. Even in his older years John would watch international soccer regularly, regardless of what language it was televised in.

In 1986, John met Kalomira Biniaris, who was also raising 2 young children in Vancouver, BC. Kalomira was originally from the neighboring village to Loutoufi, Lefktra. Their love grew quickly, and they were married in August of 1988. The Papanastasiou family now grew to 4 children, all within 3 years of each other. The 4 kids, George, Lester, Gus, and Audrey, loved growing up with each other and became the best of friends. John and Kalomira enjoyed traveling internationally including trips to Hong Kong, Greece, Yugoslavia, and Bangkok.

John and Kalomira were most excited to welcome their grandchildren into the world. Alexis, Jacob, Naomi, Eva, Johnny, Niko, Madelon (Rosie), and Alexandra were their pride and joy. John always made sure the house was stocked with ice cream and treats for the kids. Or at least he claimed it was for them. John had quite the sweet tooth. He spoiled his grandchildren, loving and supporting them in everything they did.

John will forever be missed by all those who knew him. He was a loving husband, father, and pappou. He is survived by his wife, Kalomira Papanastasiou, his children, George John Papanastasiou, Lester Stanley Lavers, Gus John Papanastasiou, and Audrey Maria Lavers, his brothers Alexandros Papanastasiou and Panagiotis Papanastasiou, his sister Othini Loukas, and his grandchildren, Alexis Yianna (John) Papanastasiou, Jacob Lavers, Naomi Peteinaris, Eva Ferentinos, John Papanastasiou, Nikolaus Lavers, Madelon Papanastasiou, and Alexandra Ferentinos. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout Seattle, Vancouver, Montana, and Greece.

The funeral service and reception will be held at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Seattle, WA, for Friday, March 29, 2024, at 11:30 am. Following the reception, he will be laid to rest at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in Seattle, WA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Sno-King Youth Club - Soccer Program, where John was a beloved soccer Coach for many years.