John W. Trantalis

Norwich - John W. Trantalis passed away on Feb. 21, 2008, in the company of his family after a prolonged illness.

He was born on June 15, 1916, in Norwich, son of the late Vasilios and Sultana Trantalis, both emigrated from Plomari, Lesbos, Greece.

John was raised and lived most of his life in Norwich, along with brothers, George, Louis, Peter Dino (now deceased), and sister, Mary (also deceased). He lived through the best of times and the most difficult times. He began life before there were cars, TVs or even radios. He lived through wars, the Roaring Twenties, and the Great Depression. He served our country during World War II and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1946.

He embraced the goal of raising a family and after the war married his beloved wife, Viola (Topalis), who survives him. Thereafter, he was blessed with four children, William and his wife, Elaine, Jeffrey, Dean, and Marilyn, with her husband Jim, and later with a grandchild, Johnathan, of whom he was so proud, all survive him.

John worked at Pervel Industries (now Bemis Corp.) in Plainfield from which he retired in 1982 after 36 years of service. The job offered him many opportunities for travel around the country, as well as spending a good deal of time in New York City.

John was also extremely devoted to his church, the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, serving as its past president and remaining as treasurer even up to his final days. There wasn't a day in the week when John couldn't be found at the church. He was its guardian, often the glue that kept it together through their years of growth. In 1988, he received the highest civilian honor from the church diocese, the Laity Award, and in 2007, he was awarded a lifetime achievement from the Order of AHEPA for the years he contributed to the success of its mission. He was also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

John was a man who was calm and soft-spoken but who garnered enormous respect from those who knew him and worked with him. He will be missed.

Those wishing to make a contribution in his name are asked to make a donation to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 247 Washington St., Norwich CT 06360.

There will be no calling hours, but friends may pay their respects at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26, with funeral services commencing at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Maplewood Cemetery.

Arrangements by Labenski Funeral Home.