John K. Stathopoulos

John K. Stathopoulos, PE

Yianni was the youngest of the three boys of Konstantinos and Konstantia Stathopoulos of blessed memory.

He was born in 1940 in Lamia, Greece at the beginning of WWII and matured into a young man during all the hardships of Post-War Greece. He thrived, developed an insatiable curiosity, a great sense of adventure and a keen appreciation of people and places.

Yianni served in the Greek Military and during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis was stationed at the Albanian border.

After completing his  military service, his wanderlust and sense of adventure to experience the world kicked in. At the age of 25, he left Greece and traveled by boat to Toronto, Canada. He knew one family there, spoke no English and had $65 dollars in his pocket. But, in spite of all this, he made many friends in Canada, worked at various jobs; waiter, orderly, RV salesman and most importantly for him, student. Yianni finished Ryerson Polytechnical Institute with a 3 year degree. But, he wanted a 4 year Civil Engineering Degree, heard of  The University of Akron through a friend and decided to come to Akron.

Yianni earned his 4 year Civil Engineering Degree, started on his Masters, earned his PE in Engineering, met Georgia Vlahos and married her, worked for Pruitt Construction and Babcock & Wilcox, started a family, Constantia and Theodore,  and opened his own business, Stathos Construction! Whew!

His life just became more and more interesting.

His circle of friends grew wider, his knowledge of construction became well respected and sought after, he was honored with recognition by the Morgan Foundation for his philanthropy, he joined Leadership Akron Next, he was a member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and AHEPA and did a great deal of historical restoration around the state of Ohio,  restored all the homes of all the Ohio Presidents and also had time to become a Byzantine aficionado and on and on and on. John enjoyed his life to the fullest and was a great success. His delight in lamb roasts and the creation of “the mother of all spits” made him a legend!!!!!!

He leaves Georgia; his children, Constantia (Tom) and Theodore (Jane); and his beautiful grandchildren, Francesca, Angelo, Antha and George; his brothers, Nicholas (Mary) and Panagiotis (predeceased); his sister- and brother-in-law, Diane and George Vlahos; and many beloved nieces, nephews, godchildren, Koumbari and Simbetheri; and his much loved furry friends, Charlie, Byron and Daphne.

We shall all miss this comet that entered our lives and left us in a magnificent flash.

May His Memory Be Eternal. To share a Memory, Send a Condolence, Light a Candle, or Send a Hug from Home, visit Yianni’s Tribute Wall at www.billowfuneralhomes.com (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)