Jerry Galanis

Jerry Galanis passed away peacefully on January 26, 2024 at his home in Huntington Harbor, California.
Jerry Galanis was born in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin on May 21, 1927 to Michael Galanis and Demetra Trahadias. He completed Business College in Fond Du Lac and served in the United States Army under General Patton in Germany. Jerry returned home in 1947 and opened his first restaurant, JerNicks, in Fond DuLac. In 1948 the Soteraki family came to visit Uncle Harry Soteraki, and during that visit, Jerry met Kay Soteraki of Oklahoma City. Needless to say, the love affair began and the two were married on June 25, 1950. After a move to Chicago for a short time, Kay's parents brought the two love birds to Long Beach, California and set them up in business at The Coney Island restaurant on Ocean Boulevard. Eventually, Jerry left the restaurant business and joined Bookeeper's Business Service where he built up a large following which transferred into what became Ortho-Data Business Service. The young couple received help from a close friend of the family in building several apartment buildings. During that time Kay and Jerry had three sons; Michael, Charles, and Nicholas. They eventually bought their first home in Rossmoor, California. Due to some very painful circumstances, Kay and Jerry divorced in 1978. In 1982, Jerry met Marian V. Franetovich and the two were married on October 17, 1982. The happy couple enjoyed traveling to Greece, Croatia, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand. Jerry enjoyed fishing on his boat as well as boating to Catalina with the Huntington Harbor Yacht Club. He especially enjoyed horses! Racing them, breeding them and celebrating their winning purses at Del Rae Restaurant. Jerry was preceded in death by his oldest son Michael and is survived by his wife Marian, his ex-wife Kay, two sons, Charles and Nicholas, his brother Tony Galanis, Tony's wife Marian, and their seven children, grandchildren, two nieces Monica and Nicole Crone, and brother-in-law Robert Crone.
His family expresses their appreciation and gratitude to his phenomenal and dedicated caregivers, Dante and Charles.
Trisagion service will be held at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Long Beach at 7:00pm on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Funeral service will be held at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Long Beach at 11:00am on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. Luncheon immediately following the service with interment at 3:00pm at Forest Lawn, Cypress. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the church or the American Lung Association.
Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Mary Harmon, owner. Toll free (855) 628-0447.
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