Dr. John Nicholas Vournakis

Karen and Chris,

I was so sad to hear of John's passing (from Arun Seth). John was a very good man and I am very glad that I had a chance to know him as a friend, mentor, and scientist. He opened my eyes to the commercial side of science in a most illuminating way.

He will be missed.

Sincerely,

Cliff and Cindy Schweinfest

What a Great loss. You were an intelligent loving man. You will be missed.

All my condolences for the death of John
I remembered Philippe talking about him with praises
My prayers and thoughts are with you

Marie Laure Arnaud

My most sincere condolences to Karen, Christopher, Jim and the entire Vournakis family. John had a profound impact on many lives. I have over 50 years of lovely memories.
Again, my heartfelt condolences.

Charlie Becker

I knew John since the first grade at Dalrymple grade school in Albion Michigan. Back then there were three of us (John Vournakis, Jack Watson and me). We spent many fun and innocent hours playing Cowboys, Army, etc. after school. John lived on Porter Street and Jack on Clinton Street. Johns back-yard backed up to the King-Heilrigle funeral home on East Erie Street. At that time there was a nice grassy side yard with a little hill and several large decorative rocks to hide behind. Perfect place for our imaginary battles. On numerous occasions Pota, or someone from the funeral home, would shoo use away to take our play somewhere else because they were having a funeral service.
Both John and Jack moved away from Dalrymple grade school. We did get back together in high school, but never to the same degree as in grade school. After high school John went on and accomplish many great deeds in both academia and the business world. Jack went on to become the One Hour Martinizing king with many stores in south central Michigan. I bounced around a little but finally finished my MBA in Accounting and had a great career as a practicing Certified Public Account.
The three of us didnt get together again until 2007 at our 50th high school reunion. Almost 65 years since our playing together on the lush grassy lawn of the funeral home. With Johns good memory and recall we had a great time reliving many of those experiences.
My wife Kay (Dailey) and I express our sincerest condolences to Johns wife and family.

Karen, I am so very sorry to hear of John's passing. I count myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with you and with John at Albion College. He represented all that is good about Albion, the City and Albion the College. Praying for you and your family.

Karen, I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. I have such fond memories of both you and John visiting our Albion, dear Albion. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Marie Ames

Memory Eternal. My family was very closely associated with John, his family (Karen and Christopher), his brother Jim and his wonderful parents Thea Pota and Theo Nick. I spent many summers with my Godparents, Pauline and John Momtsios, in Albion when I was growing up so I have known John all my life. He was a soft spoken, gentle, energetic, enthusiastic and brilliant man. My parents, George and Vaia Costianes admired him and were very impressed with his accomplishments as well. My husband, Fr. Nik and I (Joanna Costianes Ferencz) will keep John, Karen, and Christopher in our prayers. He will be missed. May his memory be eternal.

This is devastatingly sad news. John was a hero and a superstar in every endeavor. Our deep condolences to his family.

We grew up with Karen, and have known John for many years. We thoroughly enjoyed staying in touch with them over at the years, especially during their trips back to Michigan. We will miss John terribly!

To follow-up on Dick Swain, the science guys were
Vournakis, Gibbon, Swain, Hurst, Hurst, Corlis, Berndt.
John is the first guy to leave the lab!

It is with great sadness that I learned of John's passing. John and I were fellow chemistry majors at Albion (class of 1961). He was an excellent student and was also involved in both student activities and athletics. I've always enjoyed my many contacts withy John over the years and will miss him greatly. I send my profound sympathies to Karen and all of John's family. His was a life well lived, and he will always be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to know him as both a good person and a productive scientist.