Name: Calling hours for John Kanabis
Start: 2019-02-04T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-02-04T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home - New London

Waterford - John George Kanabis, 91, of Beechwood Drive, Waterford, formerly a longtime resident of New London, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep at home on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, ending a wonderful life. His final day, Monday, was spent with family and friends and working at his office in downtown New London. He will be dearly missed.

John was born in New London, May 15, 1927, the son of George and Photini (Panzera) Kanabis. He graduated from the former Bulkeley School in 1945, A Bulkeley boy to the end, he attended the most recent reunion in 2018.

After graduation, John served in the United States Army from August 1945 until he was honorably discharged on Dec. 13,1946.

He graduated from Boston University College of Business Administration in 1951 (Beta Gamma Sigma], During his time in Boston, he became an avid Red Sox fan watching Williams, Pesky, Doerr, and Dom Dimaggio at Fenway. He was also a Patriots fan, cheering them on at a number of games including attending the first regular season game at Schaefer Stadium in September 1971.

Returning to New London after graduating, he worked for CPA R. Ronald Kleiman. He earned his CPA in 1954 and later became partner in Kleiman & Kanabis CPA. He became sole owner of the business upon Mr. Kleiman's retirement in 1990. John developed friendly relationships with his clients and did so until his passing,

John was involved in many community activities Including: coach of youth basketball at the New London YMCA; treasurer of the New London National Little League; member of the New London Lodge of Elks, Post 360 and other civic groups. He was a lifelong parishioner of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. He bowled in leagues at the former New London Ten Pin. He loved that wonderful, yet at times frustrating game of golf and was a longtime member of the New London (and Great Neck) Country Club. Golf was a passion that he encouraged his children to enjoy.

He enjoyed frequent family dinners and always needed to take part in Jeopardy. He enjoyed extensive family trips with his wife Doris and their children throughout the United States (including the 1964 and 1982 World's fair) and Canada and a trip to Greece. John and his wife Doris loved traveling together often going to Bermuda and Iceland (long before it became popular), even to the Arctic Circle, He also enjoyed many golfing trips to the Bahamas and Florida,

John was married for 46 years to his wife Doris who passed away Sept. 17, 2006. He is predeceased by his brother Theodore; daughter Karen and her husband Morris Yu.

He is survived by his sister Aspasia of Waterford; brothers William of Waterford, and C. George and his wife Carol of Old Lyme, as well as nieces Angela Kanabis of Stonington, and Debra Kanabis and her husband Michael Rizzo and their son (grandnephew) William of New York,

He is also survived by two daughters and three sons: JoAnn Francisconi and her husband Frank of Mew London, Thomas Vivirito of Waterford; John A. Kanabis of Waterford and his partner Charlene Montavon of New London; Mary Jean Kanabis and her spouse Marcel Burch of Waterford; and Robert Kanabis and his wife Kim of Lyme.

He is survived by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Jennifer and Emily Yu of Waterford, Katie Francisconi and her husband David Hughes of Massachusetts, John Michael Francisconi of Rhode Island, and Mara Lowry and her husband Alexander and their daughters Roosevelt and Maple of Old Lyme.

Calling hours are from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London. A funeral liturgy will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday in St Sophia Hellenic Greek Orthodox Church, with visitation prior to the service in the church, interment will follow in Jordan Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution may to made to Gemma E. Moran United Way Food Center, 374 Broad street, New London, CT 0S320 or The Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington Street, New London. CT 06320.

Condolences may be shared on John's memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.

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

Published by The Day on Feb. 2, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for John Kanabis

Sponsored by Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home - New London.

6 Entries

February 6, 2019

To Tom Vivirito:
So sorry to hear about the passing of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Theresa coulombe

Stephen Montanari

February 5, 2019

To the Kanabis family, my deepest condolences. Mr Kanabis was a wonderful man. A real gentleman.

I'm am so sorry to have missed his service.

Fritz Hilbert

February 2, 2019

God Bless John on your journey. I remember over 50 plus years ago when you were firmly ensconced, for several days, at our kitchen table trying to organize the paperwork from my Dad's Diner with the old mechanical adding machine cranking away and 3 or 4 kids running amuck around you. You were and always a kind and patient man with a gift of others above self, (not a lot of that anymore!!). My sympathies to your family and close friends, you were always a gentleman. To those that John leaves, Just know he isn't really gone, he is just ahead a bit just out of sight but still here.

Thomas McLaughlin

February 2, 2019

It was an honor to have met and known John; I first met him at the Post Office in New London where I was employed. Always a gentleman, polite and affable, he was one of the customers I remember fondly. I got to see John again at Atria where a family member lives and we got to reminisce about the many people we knew from the Post Office and the New London area.
My condolences to the entire Kanabis family.

Tony Leckey

February 2, 2019

My sincerest condolences to the entire Kanabis family and John's many friends. I have very fond memories of John from back in the day of coaching baseball in the New London National Minor and Little Leagues back in the 70s. A very nice man and a pillar of our community.

Joann and Brad Starkweather-Kerr

February 2, 2019

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
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