Pete B Papas

Pete B. Papas, 82, passed away on June 8, 2011 from complications that arose from pneumonia and shingles.

He was born as Panayotis Takis Vasiliou Papayannakis on July 19, 1928 in Piraeus, Greece to the late Vasilios and Maria nee Lazarou Papayiannakis, parents he greatly admired. He loved being an American while remaining proud of his Greek heritage. Soon after he finished high school, Pete left Greece and had the opportunity to visit many countries while serving in the Merchant Marines. On April 27, 1952, he married Stamatina Nina Xihopadis in Detroit, Michigan. He first met Nina when they took English lessons together in Piraeus a few years earlier. At the end of 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served for two years during the Korean War. After his service, he settled in Akron, Ohio. Over the last two decades, he also resided in Greece and in Tarpon Springs, Florida for portions of the year.

Pete was a respected, hardworking, and wise businessman. He was a broker for Revere Realty and a longtime agent for Nationwide Insurance multi-President's Conference qualifier. Until the end of his life, he also kept active developing and overseeing real estate projects, especially at his Wallhaven Building. Many sought his advice and assistance and he was quick to lend a helping hand.

Pete was extremely outgoing and had a keen sense of humor. He regularly met with groups of dear friends, often to eat meals, to make investments, or to play cards. He easily struck up conversations with anyone he encountered. He thoroughly loved hearing and telling jokes. In addition to socializing, he greatly enjoyed traveling, following the news, and listening to music.

Pete was a longtime member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron and the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Tarpon Springs, Florida. He was an active member of the Pan Cretan Association where he was a two-term district governor and twice served as the president of the Akron Chapter. He had a soft spot in his heart for the island of Crete, where his ancestors were from and where he spent much time in his youth. Other memberships included the Men's Club a former president, Order of AHEPA, Masons, and Rotary Club.

Pete's main priority in his life was the well-being of his family. He was a dedicated and generous husband, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his devoted wife of 59 years, Nina; his daughter, Maria Jan Heide of Madison, Wis.; his son, Bill Katerina Papas of Bath; his adored grandchildren who always told their Pappou, ``S'agapo poli, poli', Henrik and Jannike Heide and Pete, Liz, and Constantine Papas; nieces, Mary Tom File, Voula Petrolekas, and Artemis Theodoros Kourentzis; nephews, Paul Ann Papas and Manoli Sofia Papayannakis; Godchildren, John Saviolis and Argie Manolis; and a great number of additional relatives, koumbari, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, all his older siblings, Spiros of Akron and Giorgos, Lela, and Katina of Greece; and nephew, Vasilios of Greece.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 14, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union St., Akron, Ohio 44304, Rev. Fr. Jerry Hall will be officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Rose Hill Burial Park. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, June 13, at Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., where Trisagion services will be held at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Pan Cretan Association of Akron Scholarship Fund, or the Anthony Retikas, M.D. Scholarship Fund. The address for all is 129 S. Union St., Akron, Ohio 44304.

Pete's family members would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the many health care professionals who attended to him recently at Select Specialty Hospital and at General Hospital's ICU. They also want to warmly thank the numerous health care professionals who assisted him at different times in the past. Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel