John (Yiannis) Kaplanidis was born in 1935 on the island of Kos (made famous by Hippocrates, the father of medicine). He passed away late in the evening on February 22nd, 2024, in Astoria, NY. He is predeceased by his beloved wife “Pepper” and survived by his two sons, William (Odette) and Dean (Dee), his daughter Eleni Ford (“Skip”), his grandsons, Kevin and Sean Kaplanidis, his granddaughters, Calista and Ariana Ford, and extended family of siblings, nieces and nephews and their children.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and son. His strong spirit, sense of humor, willpower, self-discipline, deep faith and spiritual wisdom guided him through major challenges throughout his early and adult life, like when he was a refugee during World War II making his way with some of his family all the way to Palestine. He then came to America as a teenager by way of ship taking over two months to reach Ellis Island. Like his father who served in the US Army during both World War I and World War II, John was a proud US Army Sergeant who served in the late 1950s in Korea and continued in the reserves until his honorable discharge prior to getting married in 1964.
John was probably best known for sharing his fascinating, but often incessant stories of his many unique life experiences. His knowledge and talents went beyond storytelling. He sang, danced, played the harmonica, mimicked the sounds of musical instruments and animals and could throw his voice as a practical joke. He grew fruits and vegetables, was a creative cook, could navigate by looking at the stars and constellations, could speak several languages, and was athletic. He knew so much about world history and cultures, politics, economics, photography and often had premonitions and dreams and insights to future events. In addition to being a proud vet who made his bed daily and neatly organized his clothes and home, he was a proud “Astoria Warrior”.
John was quick to lend a helping hand and go the extra mile to help anyone in the community in need. From the homeless to the elderly, he always gave from his heart. After his career as a furrier, he applied his strong work ethic for another 20 years driving elderly to senior centers while assisting them with chores and serving his neighbors in the local deli slicing cold cuts, cooking chickens, preparing salads, etc. It seemed like most of Astoria knew John, whether from his jobs, church or his walking patrols with his beloved dog Sango, the amazing Akita.
John would go out of his way to observe what you liked to eat and either cook it or get it for you abundantly, and with love. If he saw you enjoying lamb chops, be prepared to receive 50 cooked lamb chops the next day; if he saw what yogurt you liked, rest assured you would find each shelf in your refrigerator stocked with several rows of your favorite flavors.
You always felt he had your back and could soothe your stress with a joke or a few words of wisdom. He led by example, being kind and present to those around him and truly embodied many of his Christian values, like forgiveness. Whether you experienced John as a storyteller, comic, family man, chef, photographer, soldier, musician, singer, dancer, caregiver, driver, deli man or wise sage your life was enriched by his presence. You will be missed but not forgotten. Rest in Peace, Astoria Warrior.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday February 28th at 11:00 AM at the Leon Pucedo Funeral Home, Inc. 1905 Watson Blvd. Endicott, NY 13760 and at 11:30 AM at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church 1907 Jenkins St. Endicott, NY 13760. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Pucedo Funeral Home on Tuesday February 27th from 5:00 PM until 6:45 PM. The Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Choma will hold a Panachida Service on Tuesday at 6:45 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to St. Mary’s Orthodox Church.
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