John "The Greek" George Panagakis passed away peacefully in San Rafael, California, on February 11, 2016. He was born on April 10, 1937, in San Francisco, California. He is survived by his children Leslie, Chris, Stacy, and Michael Panagakis, and grandchildren Jessica, Sierra, Alecia, William, Demetra, and Alexandra Panagakis and Michael and Skyler Panagakis Maritz.
A graduate of George Washington High School, John attended San Francisco City College, then was awarded Bachelor's and Master's degrees from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo where he played football and received a teaching credential. After graduation John taught at San Luis Obispo Junior High School, then returned to the Bay Area to teach and coach at Novato High School and College of Marin. At College of Marin, he coached basketball, football and other sports for many years. He was honored by his induction into the Marin County Hall of Fame and the College of Marin Hall of Fame. Post-retirement, John worked for the Florida Marlins for several seasons, including their inaugural year, 1993. Later, he was recruited to administer summer camps and coach athletes for the Special Olympics.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Special Olympics Northern California http://www.sonc.org/ in his honor will be appreciated.
A private memorial service will be held.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Feb. 27 to Feb. 28, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for John Panagakis

12 Entries

Amalia Landrum

April 27, 2025

My mother went to the senior prom with who I believe was your father at George Washington high school in San Francisco. Her name was Anne Perry. Your father was a month apart from my mother. Class of 1954. It took me awhile to find him but I acquired the 1955 yearbook and went from there. Thankyou for being such a good freind to my mother who died at 27 years old. And Thankyou for taking her to the prom. You were quite a person and a musician and athlete. Wish I had a chance to meet you and talk to you.

Myron Tessler

February 27, 2025

I grew up with John when we both lived on 21st Ave. between Balboa and Cabrillo. I knew from 1946 to 1950. I enjoyed many stories with John while we were both growing up. He used to go to catechism and I used to go to Hebrew school and often we would go with each other to each others after school religious training. We used to be called the 21st Ave. gang. Rest in peace John.

Tom Seidenberg

February 22, 2025

I think about Coach often...the intensity, the humor, the antics, and the devotion to the athletes he coached.

Jim Peters

February 21, 2025

An All-Time great teacher, coach, and friend. We miss you!

Michael Garsva

March 9, 2016

A good man who did a lot of good for the many people he knew. I lost track of him after NHS & COM however I was saddened to read of his passing. John made the world a better place. Aloha John.

Bobby Wood

March 4, 2016

Rest in Peace, John. The world is a better place because of you.

Wendy Shipley

March 2, 2016

Special O brought John and me onto a similar path, and my world is a better place because of working with him. My favorite times seeing John usually revolved around John working with our Athletes. He was such a gregarious figure in that world. And how he would shine at Coaches trainings. He loved that role, a natural educator, but he made sure those coaches respected and challenged our athletes - no "babying" them, that wasn't how they learned and gained in skills and success! Then there was going to baseball games when the Marlins came to the Bay Area! Such great fun to see John in the baseball world. He loved telling stories of that fun part of his life. We've all lost a dear friend, but I'm sure none of us will ever forget the blessings, laughter, and lessons he brought to our lives.

Roger Janow

March 1, 2016

so very sorry to hear about John's passing. Even though we lost touch after SF City College I feel he was a tremendous classmate and friend. I remember his wonderful, positive, and giving personality.
I have still thought of him often,
Sadly,
Roger J. Janow
Class of '55

Sharon

March 1, 2016

Novato High was fortunate to have him as coach for many years. He made so many of our lives more fun and exceptional. Sympathy to his family. You have lost a very special man.
Sharon Larson
Class of '64

Tom Seidenberg

March 1, 2016

I'm so sorry to hear of Coach's passing. He was a great coach, a great man, and, simply, a good guy. I loved his sense of humor and he made playing basketball fun. One of my fondest memories of John was when he'd call a timeout and yell at me to relax. "RELAX, Seidenberg, JUST RELAX." And I'd say, "I'm trying to Coach but you're yelling at me!" Just last summer, while visiting Cal Riemcke in Spokane, we called John to check in. Without missing a beat, John shouted into the phone, "RELAX Seidenberg." I was so lucky to be able to visit with him at the annual MOTA dinners in recent years. Rest in peace, Coach. So many of us who played for you will never forget you.

Joe Howard

March 1, 2016

Coach Panagakis was a terrific human being. Always had a smile for everyone, cared about everyone and was just an all around awesome dude! He will live on in the hearts of those who knew him and were lucky enough to have had the opportunity to interact with him. Rest in Peace Coach.

Jim Peters

February 29, 2016

Coach Panagakis was a wonderful man who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He taught and coached with skill, enthusiasm, and humor. He arranged a summer job for me while at COM even, though I did not play on his basketball team. I still owe him a milkshake because he bet me that I could not hit a home run against West Valley College. He always wore a smile, except maybe the time that Bob Fitzhenry talked him into umpiring (home plate) at a frosh baseball game. He got pretty beat up by foul tips. Although John refereed hundreds of games in his career, I'm pretty sure calling balls & strikes was a one time thing. Years later, he still remembered and laughed about the bruises and split ear lobe from that day at Tam High. Rest in Peace Coach

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