John Stratis Jeris

John Stratis Jeris, age 95, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025, at his home in Yonkers, New York.
Born on June 6, 1930, in Boston, Massachusetts, John was the son of Stratis and Marianthy Jeris, who were originally from Plomari, Lesvos, Greece. He was raised with a deep respect for education, discipline, faith, and family-values that guided him throughout his life.
John graduated from Brockton High School in 1949, earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1953, received a Master's Degree in Sanitary Engineering from MIT in 1954, and went on to earn his Doctorate in Sanitary Engineering from MIT in 1962.
While at MIT, John enrolled in the Army ROTC. John began his military service and entered the United States Army in September 1954 as a Second Lieutenant during the Korean War. Stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he served with distinction as a Research and Project Engineer, Assistant Battalion Operations Officer and Public Information Officer, among other responsibilities. In 1956, he was promoted to First Lieutenant and became a Reserve Commissioned Officer. John continued his service for a total of eight years and was honorably discharged from the United States Army in March 1964.
Following his initial military service, John worked from 1956 to 1959 as a Project Engineer at Stearns & Wheler in Cazenovia, New York. In 1959, he and his wife Helen returned to Boston when John entered the doctoral program at MIT.
In 1962, John accepted a faculty position at Manhattan College in Riverdale, New York, beginning a distinguished academic career that would span more than three decades. From 1962 to 1995, he served as Professor of Civil Engineering, teaching in the Sanitary and then Environmental Engineering Graduate Program. During his tenure, John served as Laboratory Director for 30 years and as Director of the Environmental Engineering & Science Graduate Program for 20 years, shaping the education and careers of generations of engineers.
In addition to his academic career, John served from 1970 to 2000 as Vice President of Research and Development at Ecolotrol, Inc., contributing to significant advances in environmental and water treatment technologies. He was named Professor Emeritus by Manhattan College in 1995 and, even after retiring that year, continued directing graduate student research projects until 2021.
John received numerous professional honors over his lifetime, including the John Chester Brigham Award for Service to New York (1976); the Thomas R. Camp Medal (1979) for the development of the biological fluidized bed process; the De La Salle Medal from Manhattan College (1985); designation as Outstanding Engineer in Education by the New York State Society of Professional Engineers (1995); and the Gordon Maskew Fair Medal (2001) for excellence in training and developing future engineers. He was an active member of many professional organizations and was a contributing editor or author of more than 95 papers and publications, as well as numerous major research projects.
Beyond his professional achievements, John embraced life fully. He enjoyed coaching his children in sports, was a devoted bird watcher who kept meticulous notes, and took great pride in his gardening and impeccably kept yard. An avid traveler, he explored many parts of the world but held a special love for Greece, his ancestral homeland. John also played tennis well into his 90s, a testament to his vitality and determination. A parishioner of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in New Rochelle, he was a member of the church choir and an active participant in the local AHEPA chapter. John was known for his optimism, warmth, and good sense of humor, qualities that endeared him to all who knew him.
During his service at Fort Belvoir, John met the love of his life, Helen Jones, at a young adults event at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington, D.C. They were married on October 12, 1958, beginning a devoted partnership that spanned more than six decades.
John and Helen lived in Riverdale, NY starting in 1962. They welcomed their daughter, Joanne, in 1963, and their son, Paul, in 1964. In September 1965, the family moved to Yonkers, New York, where John and Helen made their home for the next 60 years.
John was preceded in death by his sister, Katherine (Jeris) Vzivzis (2023); his father, Stratis Jeris; his mother, Marianthy Jeris; and his son-in-law, Larry Roberg.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Helen Jeris; his daughter, Joanne Jeris; his son, Paul Jeris; his daughter-in-law, Leslie (Senkel) Jeris; and his cherished granddaughters, Rebecca Jeris and Emily Jeris.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Graham Funeral Home, 1036 Boston Post Road, Rye, New York.
The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 10 Mill Road, New Rochelle, New York. Interment will immediately follow at Greenwood Union Cemetery, 215 North Street, Rye, New York.
Following the burial service, the family invites all attendees to a memorial luncheon at Telly's Taverna of Port Chester, 108 Abendroth Avenue, Port Chester, New York.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's memory to the John S. Jeris Endowment, Manhattan University Development Office, 4513 Manhattan College Parkway, Riverdale, NY 10471. This endowment was established in honor of Dr. Jeris by his students and colleagues to support the education of future engineers.
John will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, educator, veteran, and man of faith. His life was defined by integrity, joy, intellectual curiosity, and an enduring commitment to his family, church, and profession.