ALEXANDER GEORGE KARNAVAS

KARNAVAS ALEXANDER GEORGE KARNAVAS, Alex was born Sept. 25, 1952 in Cleveland, OH., the first of nine children to George and Georgeann Karnavas. He spent his childhood in Cleveland and on the island of Ikaria, Greece, and he celebrated his Greek heritage throughout his life. In 1971, Alex left Cleveland to attend St. John's University in Collegeville, MN., where he met his true love and lifelong companion, Lynn Erickson. Alex and Lynn were married on June 28, 1975 and went on to have three children whom they have always said were their greatest accomplishments. Alex was a bold and innovative entrepreneur. He began his career as a cardiac perfusionist at the Cleveland Clinic. In 1980, he relocated to the University of Minnesota where he founded Metro Perfusion Inc., the first private perfusion corporation to perform contract perfusion services for a university hospital in the United States. In 1987, he invented and patented a "Rapid Blood Infusion System" that helped save countless lives in liver transplants. In 1988, he moved to Midland, TX., and again founded his own perfusion company, Metro Perfusion II. Alex was involved in over seven thousand open heart procedures in over 20 years as a cardiac perfusionist. Outside the operating room, Alex embraced a passion for training horses, founding Arabesque Farm with Lynn where they raised and trained Arabian horses for eight years. He remained an avid horse and dog trainer throughout his life. In his most recent years, Alex worked as a cardiac sonographer at VA Hospitals around the country. He was greatly moved by his work for veterans and he would often talk with his family about his respect and admiration for these men. All who knew Alex felt his passion for life and his charismatic nature. He was a true culinary artist who could create gourmet meals from whatever happened to be lying around the kitchen. He was a movie buff, a fitness enthusiast, a lover of books and knowledge, a masterful storyteller, a student of life, and a man of integrity. He was deeply spiritual and committed to living a life driven by a greater purpose. Above all things, Alex cherished his family. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, happiest when enjoying the simple things - a great home-cooked meal, a bottle of wine, a good story, and a good laugh with his wife and children. Alex was always the bright light in any room. We miss him dearly. Alex left his loving family on Jan. 25, 2012 after fighting a courageous battle with an acute onset of the rare disease primary systemic amyloidosis, with which he had been diagnosed in late December 2011. Left to live in his memory are his beloved wife, Lynn; his daughter, Vanessa (Rob); his daughter, Stephanie (Steve); his son, Andrew; his grandchildren, Andrea and Aiden; his brother, Tom (Theresa); his brother, Christopher; his brother, George (Sophia); his brother, Michael; his sister, Diana (Tom); and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be greeted in heaven with open arms by his late parents, George and Georgeann; and his brothers, Bill, John and Nick. A celebration of Alex's life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 2187 W. 14th St., Cleveland, OH 44113. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to a fund established in memory of Alex Karnavas at Wells Fargo Bank or to the Amyloidosis Foundation. http://www.amyloidosis.org/.