Peter Kardassakis

1916 - 2018

Peter George Kardassakis

February 14, 1916 - March 7, 2018

Peter George Kardassakis was born on Valentine's Day102 years ago, on Douglass Street in San Francisco toDiodicia and George Kardassakis, who immigrated to San Francisco from Greece at the turn of the 20th century.
Pete attended Mission High School, working as a grocery stocker at a Habib's andhelped out with his father's produce shipping business.Pete graduated from San Francisco State University.Pete volunteered for World War II service and wasstationed in Italy during the conflict, and ultimately retired as aLieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserve.
After the war ended, Pete took a teaching job in Yuba City and met his wife, Virginia ("Ginny") Gumas.Pete and Ginny's son Jon was born in 1954, followed byDean in 1957. The family moved back to San Francisco where Pete worked as a teacher and school administrator.
After Pete retired from the San Francisco Unified School District, he spent many productive and happy years taking advantage of military stand-by flights all over the world. Pete and Ginny would pack one suitcase, park at Travis AFB, hop whichever flight piqued their interest, andcontact their sons from wherever theylanded, including many trips to Greece.
Pete enjoyed every day,reading, visiting friends and family, or just "loafing," his way to describe what he had done in a day. Pete was a great cook. His chocolate waffleswere legendary (which he preferred to enjoy with ice cream or gobs of whipped cream) and so were his loukoumades.
Pete was a true friend and mentor, dispensing reasoned, smart, and pragmatic advice. Pete is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ginny; his sons Jon (Luana)and Dean (Chris); his beloved grandchildren Peter, Nicole, Katrina, and Tessa; his sister Chris Kiefer, his brother Jimmy; and a large and loving extended family.
Pete passed away peacefully in his sleep. The night before, he enthusiastically ate the last remaining piece of the six birthday cakes from family and friends to celebrate his 102nd birthday. Like each day of his life, Pete relished every bit of it. Pete will be deeply missed.
Visitation and viewing on Wednesday, March 14th at 6:30pm at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 999 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco, with a Prayer Service following at 7pm. Funeral Services on Thursday, March 15that 11am, also at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, with the burial to follow at Greek Orthodox Memorial Park, 1148 El Camino Real, Colma.