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John Gomarakis, 78, passed away suddenly May 10, 2021.
John was born in Kalamoti on the island of Chios, Greece on March 2, 1943 to Andreas and Hariklea Gomarakis. He was raised in Chios where he completed high school, served in the Greek Navy as well as the Greek Merchant Marines, and remained there until he left for America in 1971. He met the love of his life and partner, Anna (Lerakis) in Chios, and together they began their new journey in Akron, Ohio. Despite leaving his sister and parents behind in Greece, John and his sister, Ioulia remained the best of friends. They spoke every week.
John was an active member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron, Ohio and the Akron Chapter of AHEPA. He worked at Lerkis Sand & Gravel for many years and also enjoyed finding a “good deal” with rental properties. His greatest success and joy was raising three beautiful daughters. They were his ultimate pride. Ensuring their education and accomplishment was his primary goal and he truly desired the best for them and for all of his family members. When John wasn’t working, he was planting and tending to his amazing garden that he took great pleasure in sharing with everyone. He also made the best baklava.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends- John 15:13. John was the epitome of God’s word and loyal. “No man is a failure who has friends”……that was John. He will always be remembered for his great sense of humor that made everyone laugh. He was a calm, kind, and loving man with the biggest heart and the best smile. He told the best jokes and no one was a stranger in his home. The American dream of work hard and save money was not lost on John- this was his motto, and he never wavered from that moral compass. He was authentic and true to who he was in life – a servant of God.
In his retirement years, his greatest joy in life became spending time with his seven grandchildren, wherever they were- there was John. He enjoyed his daily coffee trips to see his friends at the local McDonalds and Giant Eagle. He will be missed beyond measure and our earthly loss is heaven’s gain.
John is survived by his wife of 49 years, Anna; daughters, Hariklia (Tom) Letsos of Athens, Greece, Konstandina (Greg) Anzevino of Hudson, Ohio and Irma (Kevin) Carr of Tallmadge, Ohio; grandchildren, Yianni Anzevino (19), Andreas Carr (12), Anthony Anzevino (12), Leonardo Anzevino (10), Anna Anzevino (10), Kostas Carr (9) and Pantelis Letsos (8). He is survived by his loving sister, Ioulia Vergitsis of Chios, Greece; nephews, Andreas (Roula) Vergitsis of Chios, Greece and Kostas Vergitsis of Athens, Greece; and great niece and nephew, Kiki and Sideris Vergitsis. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, goddaughter, and so many friends and family.
Visitation will be 5 until 8 pm on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Avenue (on the Historic Tallmadge Circle). Trisagion Service will begin at 6pm.
Funeral service will be at 10am, Friday, May 14 2021 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union Street, Akron with Father Jerry Hall officiating.
Interment will be at Tallmadge Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union Street, Akron, Ohio 44304.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Gomarakis, please visit our floral store.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
129 S Union St, Akron OH 44304