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Steve Nicholas Pisanos
1919 - 2016
Steve Nicholas Pisanos
1919 - 2016
Obituary
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BORN
1919
DIED
2016
Steve Pisanos Obituary
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Jacquie Smith
June 4, 2023
You were a inspiration for us all. Thank you Patriot.
Jacquie Smith
June 4, 2022
Your devotion to America is an example for us all. To remember our brave heros. Freedom is not free.
Jacquie Smith
June 4, 2021
Steve: Always a patriot. Our world misses people like you.
S A Steve Haktanir
June 4, 2021
An exemplary member of our Greatest Generation. I have never forgotten "my distant Greek cousin" ever since we met. I continue maintaining ties with his son in his memory.
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Jacquie Smith
June 4, 2020
Steve: Just saw you in "WWII AirWar over Germany." So many great memories, may your legacy of life live on for many generations. A true patriot.
June 7, 2019
Steve was a true patriot. His life will always be an inspiration to those who cherish America. Rest in peace, my friend.
Jacquie L Smith
Steve Haktanir
June 4, 2019
His memory is still fresh with me, his always smiling face before me...I am sure he is flying high in up blue yonder of the heavens, amen.
Lionel Mares
June 2, 2017
Colonel Steve Pisanos is an American Patriot. He fought courageously. After watching WW2 IN HD: The Air War, I am proud of our WW2 Veterans, the Greatest Generation!! Colonel Pisanos will be deeply missed. Never Forget!Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. - Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President
Douglas Imlach
February 9, 2017
I will try to replace the missing text from my Sept. 2016 entry -- I had the pleasure of becoming friends with Steve after seeing him on a TV documentary and talking to him afterwards. This friendship grew over several years, and l had the honor to have him as a houseguest when he accepted my offer to be the featured speaker at a special Yankee Air Museum event at Willow Run Airport in Michigan. His life was filled with experiences that no one person could ever expect to have, and his love for his adopted country knew no bounds. He is a true hero, and demonstrated the kind of personal values that we see too little of today. The world has lost a very special person. Those of us who were able to know him will forever be enriched by the experience.
Nicholas Karnezis
February 8, 2017
May his memory be eternal... My deepest, heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends. Col Pisanos' exemplary life of service to the United States will serve as a great inspiration for future generations of Air Force Officers, aviators, and warriors. Maj N. Karnezis (ret).
July 5, 2016
We extend our sympathy to Steve's family. We have known Steve in all the years we lived on Fonticello. They were great friends . He was a wonderful person and will be missed.
Flo nd Marv Baker
Mary Costas
July 5, 2016
May his memory be eternal.
Mary Costas
July 4, 2016
Deepest condolences to the Family of Lt Col Steve Pisanos. This remarkable gentleman served his chosen country with honor and will be missed
Robert Johnson
July 4, 2016
My condolences to the Pisanos family. I had the honor of recommending Steve for the French Legion of Honor and was the MC at his presentation ceremony in March 2010. He was one of my most revered WW2 heroes and I was privileged to know him and have him attend several ceremonies.
Robert Johnson, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)
Farewell dear friend.
Marianne Bickhaus
July 1, 2016
Our hero; rest in peace Sir!
Marianne Bickhaus
July 1, 2016
Presenting the flag to Col. Pisano's daughter Diana and son, Jeffrey
Marianne Bickhaus
July 1, 2016
June 30, 2016
We have known Steve and Sophie for over 23 years as they were our neighbors in Oaks North. They were wonderful people. We had dinner at their home. We will miss him. Marv and I extend our sympathy to the family and know how much he is loved. He told us he missed Sophie and now he is with her. Our prayers are with you.
Flo and Marv Baker
Me and Steve back in 2013....photographed with the book prototype
Dimitris Vassilopoulos
June 29, 2016
I was very honored to meet a great Greek and his family..he trust me and my colleagues his memories and part from his archive to write a chapter about his actions in my book. I fell blessed to meet him in first person. My condolences to his family, and to the United States and Greece for loosing one of the greatest generations ever!
Steve gathered for coffee with the Greek community members at Cafe Swell in Del Mar
Sophia Hirakis
June 29, 2016
Steve signing his memorabilia cards produced by Upper Deck
Sophia Hirakis
June 29, 2016
Steve signed his name on this picture taken in his home on May 9, 2016
Sophia Hirakis
June 29, 2016
Steve in good spirits, smiling as always, while signing his cards for Upper Deck
Sophia Hirakis
June 29, 2016
Marianne Bickhaus
June 23, 2016
It was an honor and a privilege to meet Col. and Mrs. Pisanos at the Gen. H. H. Arnold High School reunion here in San Diego several years ago. Col. Pisanos was our guest speaker and we heard the amazing story of his life. His son Jeffrey was fortunate as the rest of us "Brats" who went to high school in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Deepest condolences to the family of Col. Pisanos. God bless America, God bless our military and most of all, God bless Col. Steve N. Pisanos. May you rest in peace, sir!
SDA&SM_Jeff_Carol_StevetheFlyingGreek_the otherSteve
Steve Haktanir
June 21, 2016
SDA&SM_SteveTheTurk&SteveTheGreek
Steve Haktanir
June 21, 2016
Bob Orabona
June 21, 2016
Thank you for your service and your example. -
June 21, 2016
My Deepest condolences to his family for the loss of Colonel Steve N.Pisanos.I've the honour to speak sometimes with him in the Past by the Phone and shared his memories with me.Thomas Zacharis,Thessaloniki ,Greece.
RANDY "DUKE" CUNNINGHAM
June 20, 2016
You are my hero and I am Navy. My heart goes out the the Pisanos family. What a legacy he left.
Richard Kuntz
June 20, 2016
God Bless you. You are a hero and loyal OBP.
Steve Haktanir
June 20, 2016
My sincere condolences to the Pisanos Family. Of course, I had heard of the "Flying Greek"; and when I was finally able to locate him, wanted to meet him in person, as an admirer and worshiper of his Greatest Generation. It was an instant warm up between us, guess partially due to my Turkish heritage.From that moment on, he started calling me "my distant Turkish cousin". I will miss him dearly.
Farewell into the wild blue yonder, My Greek cousin, till we meet again sometime.
Steve Haktanir
Houston, Texas
Connie Zavakos
June 20, 2016
We send our deepest sympathies for the loss of such a great American Hero. I will treasure my autographed book which he mentioned the Zavakos Family. May His Memory Be Eternal.
Sincerely,
The Zavakos Sisters
Connie, Candie, Francine Gibbons, Nicki Thornhill, and Renea Zavakos
An unforgettable moment in my life: meeting M. Pisanos!
Patricio Piras
June 20, 2016
My deepest and moste sincere condolences. I had the honour and privilige to meet him a few years ago. He was an example to all of us. My he forever fly in the blue skies above. Patricio PirasBelgium
Frank Lorey
June 20, 2016
I first interviewed Steve for a magazine article many years ago, and met with him several times since. He always enjoyed when I brought my son over so he could tell his stories to him, also. He was in many of my articles over the years, and we were supposed to go out for coffee again but I never made the call. So sorry I missed one last visit, but he will always be remembered. What a great American, and that is how he wanted to be remembered!
H.W. "Bill" Bashore
June 20, 2016
It is with profound sadness that I heard of the passing of Col. Pisanos. He was a true American hero! His exploits were legendary and his persona larger than life.
I attended sixth grade with Col. Pisanos son Jeff in Colorado Springs in 1959. Like his father, Jeff changed the whole dynamic of the classroom with his charisma and good looks.
I salute Col. Pisanos and his family for his service to a greatful nation. God be with you.
Cdr H.W. Bashore, USN (Ret)
Jacquie Smith
June 19, 2016
My heartfelt sympathy to Steve's family. He was truly an inspiration to so many. I was so fortunate to know him as both a friend and a customer for over 30 years. An outstanding speaker, whose passion for America and flying were legendary. I especially remember while writing his book, he would stop by my desk and tell me how it was progressing and always with that great smile of his. He shared so many memories, pictures (of his planes), details of jumping ship, his first motorcycle adventure, love of his family,,,,,I was always enthralled. America has truly lost a outstanding patriot. He will always be remembered and missed.
June 19, 2016
Our condolences to the family of Colonel Steve Pisanos - a true American Hero. We were fortunate to meet him through our brother, Earle Sperber who admired him greatly. I'm sure Earle, who is already in Heaven, was ready to greet Gen Pisanos at the Pearly Gates and that they are once again sharing "stories" together! With sincere sympathy to all, Carolyn & Giovanni Bertussi
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