Ioannis "John" Katris

IOANNIS (JOHN) KATRIS
November 22, 1947- August 9, 2024
Ioannis (John) Katris 76 of Middletown, NY passed away at home with his loving wife Maria Katris by his side.
John served for the Greek Army and became a special forces paratrooper. He logged many jumps out of aircraft's and even helped escort King Constantine II safely out of Greece. His paratrooper motto was "Who Dares Wins". He was so proud of this achievement. After serving in the army, he then joined the Merchant Marines and traveled around the world. John then came to live in the United States where he met his wife, raised a family and worked as a Master Automotive Mechanic for 55 years. He loved his family very much and enjoyed seeing them succeed. He loved cars and his job. He enjoyed helping family and friends anytime they needed it and offered the best advise especially when it came to car repair. Many of his friends and customers called him, "Pop." He loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed listening to Greek music, telling stories about Greece, playing poker, golf, and going for drives. He was the sweetest, most kindest man with a huge heart. Words cannot express how much he will be missed. He was very loved.
Ioannis (John) Katris was born to Evangellos Katris and Maria Baroumi in Kalimerianoi, Greece.
John is survived by his loving wife Maria of 54 years, his son Evangellos (Vinny) Katris and his wife Michelle, his daughter Kathy Katris Valenti and her husband Christopher, his younger son George Ioannis Katris and his wife Jaclyn. He is also survived by his 8 grandchildren who loved him very much, Evangellos (Evan), Katelyn, Alexandra, Amanda, Jack, Silas, Paris and Kyra. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. He is also survived by his 3 sisters Georgia, Vivi, and Katina, nieces and nephews, and by friends who he considered family, Daniel (DJ) Walsh and his family and Joel Jesus Rosado and his family.
Visitation will be held on Friday 8/23/24 between 9am and 12pm at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home 130 Highland Ave, Middletown, NY 10940 to be followed by a mass service at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church at 2250 Goshen Turnpike, Middletown, NY 10941. He will then be laid to rest at Wallkill Cemetery at 160 Midway Road, Middletown, NY 10940