Fr. John Karabatsos

CANFIELD Fr. John Karabatsos 1930-2025 It is with great sadness in our hearts, but with faith and hope in the Resurrection, that we announce that The Very Reverend Father John T. Karabatsos has fallen asleep in the Lord. Father John, aged 95, was surrounded by his family and the many prayers of those who loved him as he peacefully passed away on August 11, 2025. He was born in Homatada, Messinia, Greece on January 30, 1930, the son of the village priest and the middle child of 5 siblings. He attended the Seminary to follow in his father's footsteps in Kalamata, Greece, but held in his heart the opportunity to come to the United States to become educated. Despite not knowing a word of English, he came to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to achieve both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Philosophy by translating every word from English to Greek and then back again. He taught philosophy at Westmoreland Community College and the University of Pittsburgh, all while being a chanter at St. Spyridon in Monessen, PA and Greek school instructor at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Pittsburgh. In 1972, he returned to Greece and married the love of his life, Katina. They emigrated together back to the United States to settle in Pittsburgh, where their first child and son, Theodore (Teddy) was born. With love and unwavering support from his wife, he was ordained into the priesthood and became the Father John that the world knew and loved. His first parish was in Great Falls, Montana, where his daughter Anastasia (Stacey) was born and where he was proclaimed as "Agios/Saint Montana" by the Bishop of Denver. His parish life continued in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and finally St. Nicholas in Youngstown, Ohio, where for 27 years he was the longest tenured priest in the church's history. But even after retirement, he found great enjoyment and fulfillment in continuing his God chosen and lifelong duty by serving at Ss. Constantine and Helen Cathedral and Merrillville, IN, along with his brothers in Christ, Fr. Ted Poteres, Fr. Dimitri Burikas, and Fr. George Pappas of blessed memory. He is preceded in death by his parents, Revered Father Theodoros and Anastasia Karabatsos, his brother Panayiotis, his sister Maria, brother-in-law Yiannis, and his brother Vasilios. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Presbytera Katina, his son, Teddy of Canfield, OH, his daughter Stacey (Jim) Siatras of Valparaiso, Indiana, his grandchildren Katerina and Evangelos, who were the light of his life, his sister Katina (John) Polychronis of Windsor, Ontario, nieces, nephews, and cherished family in Greece. He leaves behind a legacy of love and service to others, and for anyone who ever met Father John, knew that love radiated from every fiber of his being. He loved his church and his family and friends without measure, and we will miss him deeply. For there are thousands who called him "Father", but it was his children and grandchildren who were blessed to call him Dad and Pappouli. He was a worthy servant of the Lord during his time on earth. Now he is worthy of eternal life. A Blessed Paradise to you, our dear Father John. Visitation will be on Sunday, August 17, 2025, from 3:00pm-6:00pm at Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Merrillville, IN with Trisagion services at 4:00pm. Divine Liturgy will take place at 9:00am on Monday, August 18, 2025, at Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, with funeral to follow. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso, IN at 3:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Merrillville, IN or St. Nicholas Greerk Orthodox Church, Youngstown, OH. Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Fr. John Karabatsos, please visit our floral store.