John Demetrios Galanides

John D. Galanides
Norfolk - John Demetrios Galanides, age 91, died peacefully at home on July 20, 2013, after a brief illness. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, he was the son of the late Demetrios John Galanides and Maria Calogeras Galanides. He was the oldest of five children.
John is survived by his wife of 68 years, Helen Kontopanos Galanides; his son Demetrios J. Galanides of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and wife Juliana; his daughter
Anna Woolard and husband the Hon. Gene A. Woolard; his daughter Cynthia Eaton and husband Anthony Lee Eaton; and grand children Angela Woolard, John Woolard and Elena Mazzeo; his brother Peter and wife Mary; his brother Theodore and wife Helen; a niece and many nephews as well as many great- nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his brother, Jerry and sister Anna.
John graduated from Maury High School in 1942. Directly after high school he enlisted in the Coast Guard for the duration of W.W. II. He married Helen Kontopanos on June 24, 1945. After the service he went to work for Galanides, Forchas & Douras. When his father died John became President of Galanides, Incorporated, a wholesale food distributor.
He was a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Order of AHEPA (a Greek-American philanthropic association), Atlantic Masonic Lodge No. 2, A.F.& A. M., Khedive Shrine Temple, Lakewood Civic League, and past member on the Board of Trustees for Averett College; his love of expanding knowledge led him to getting a realtor license in 1985.
John was an avid reader, especially in history. He loved to watch boxing on television, as well as the stock report. He greatly enjoyed humor and a good joke; he was a good listener as well as a great story teller.
On the occasion of his 90th birthday when asked for words to share he stated, "Eat well, be merry!" He was much loved, and he will be greatly missed and remembered for his gentle presence and his frequent response, "Everything's lovely."
The family would like to thank All-Heart Hospice, Seniorcorp, especially Jasmine, Dr. Lea Laplace, Dr. Marcus Rice and Dr. Pedro Hasas for his many years of care and friendship.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral with the Very Reverend Ambrose Bidziadis-Bowers and Reverend Constantine P. Rogakos officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The Trisagion service will be held in the Norfolk Chapel of H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 7220 Granby Street, Norfolk, Va. 23505, or a charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at hdoliver.com