FT. MYERS, Fla. - John G. Condoleon, 77, of Ft. Myers, Fla., formerly of Warren, died of a heart ailment at 5:25 a.m. Friday, June 5, 2009, at Hope Hospice, Ft. Myers.
He was born Aug. 8, 1931, in Chios, Greece, the son of the Rev. George C. and Irene Kafantaris Condoleon. He came to the U.S. in 1948 at the age of 15, moved to Warren in 1950 and to Ft. Myers eight years ago. He was a welding machine operator at Van Huffel Tube Co. for 35 years until the plant closed and was a U.S. Army veteran.
He served his beloved St. Demetrios Church as cantor for more than 50 years and will always be remembered for his angelic voice. Besides his endless love and devotion to his family, his faith and friends, his passion for the Byzantine chanting for his church brought him the most joy. When he was not singing at church or at work, he would practice his chanting at home for hours. John was a member of St. Demetrios Chios Society and Annunciation of the Virgin Mary at Ft. Myers. He enjoyed walking and tinkering with his cars.
He wed the light of his life, Evelyn Papadakis, June 28, 1953, who survives, and they would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary this year. They raised three children, Irene Georgakis of Bayside, N.Y., Matia (Richard) Hawks of Ft. Myers and George (Anna) Condoleon of Trinity, Fla. Also surviving are grandchildren, Jack and Anna Georgakis; stepgrandchildren, Jason and Kara Hawks; a sister, Paraskevi Glylas of Chios; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were two brothers, the Rev. Christopher G. Condoleon and the Rev. Harry G. Condoleon; four sisters, Helen Ticoras, Kalliope Kynousis, Eugenia Spiropoulos and Marina Kotsoka.
Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Demetrios Church Greek Orthodox Church, officiated by Fr. Stylianos Menis. Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel where a Trisagion Memorial Service will take place at 6:30 p.m.
Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 429 High St. N.E., Warren, Ohio 44481.
(special notice)
