JOHN SPANOS

1923 - 2022

SPANOS John J. Spanos On Friday, February 25, 2022, John J. Spanos, 98, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather departed this life with the same dignity that he lived his life with. John was born April 15, 1923 on the island of Evia, in the town of Kadi, Greece. He was the youngest of five children born to John Aristotle Spanos, who died two months before he was born, and Despina (Skoulides) Spanos. The family moved to Athens when he was a young boy, where he graduated from high school. He was drafted into the Greek Army in 1944, and served as a telecommunications expert. John got married and emigrated to the United States in 1953 with his wife, the love of his life, Ermione (Karageorge) Spanos. The family lived in Washington, DC, and later settled in Falls Church, VA. Together with his wife of nearly 70 years, they successfully owned and operated multiple restaurants across the area including the famed Caesar's Forum in McLean, VA. Simultaneously, John bought several commercial real estate properties. He would ultimately retire from the restaurant business to focus on expanding his real estate business, and worked tirelessly managing the business until several months ago. He was an American success story, driven by his vigorous work ethic and humble beginnings; he never forgot his roots and the call to help others. John was invested with the highest ecclesiastical honor that can be bestowed on a lay person and the oldest honor in Christendom as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He supported the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the philanthropic and educational institutions of the Holy Archdiocese of America as a member of Leadership 100 and supported numerous charities and philanthropies. His philanthropic and civic contributions touched many lives throughout the United States and Greece. He was a man of great religious faith and was a founding member of Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA and Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean City, MD. John was a true renaissance man, and through the years became accomplished in the arts of cooking and baking, woodworking, plumbing, and electrical work. In his free time, he loved to garden alongside his wife. This "hobby" became a labor of love. It was in the garden that he taught his children and grandchildren the value of hard work, nurturing, and patience. He is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Ermione, cherished daughter Helen, and devoted son Harry (Tina). Also survived by his four grandchildren, John, Helen, Angelica (Stephen), and Jennifer; his great-granddaughter, Sophia; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family, both in the United States and Greece. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 2, at 11 a.m. at Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041. The funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. and is open to all family and friends who wish to attend. Interment will follow at National Memorial Park in Falls Church, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VAVisitation will be held on Wednesday, March 2, at 11 a.m. at Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041. The funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. and is open to all family and friends who wish to attend. Interment will follow at National Memorial Park in Falls Church, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, VA