KONTOROUSIS , JOHN (YIANNI), of Fenton, age 91, passed away Sunday, January 14, 2024 at his residence.  Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 19, 2024 at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 2245 E Baldwin Road, Grand Blanc Township, Michigan.  Trisagion Service will be at 9:30 a.m. Visitation 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. Luncheon to follow at the church hall.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Kontorousis's memory to: Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 2445 Baldwin Road, Grand Blanc, MI.

Born August 4, 1932, in Vouni, Andros, Greece the youngest son of Dimitre and Katerina. Yianni was married to the love of his life, Irini Kontorousis, on September 23, 1962, for 58 years, who preceded him in death November 27, 2020, beloved father of Dimitre Kontorousis and his wife, Jacqueline; and Mary (Marigoula) Kontorousis Bennett and her husband, Christopher; loving Papou (grandfather) of Jonathan (Yianni) and his wife, Helen Kontorousis; Alexis Kontorousis and her husband, Joshua Young; and Sofia Erene and Nikolaos Bennett.

Yianni grew up working alongside his father and mother farming their land in the small mountain village of Vouni until the age of 13 when he left his home and traveled to Korthi to live and attend high school. Yianni served his country for two and-a-half years in the Greek Navy and was honorably discharged. Traveling on to Piraeus, he went into the Merchant Marine trade school and became a chief engineer for 10 years, traveling the world on the Liberty ships. Yianni was introduced to Irini Mastoris, from Korthi Andros, by a cousin. Within three months, they were married and moved to Athens where both of their children were born, Dimitre and then four years later Marigoula.

Unable to be away from his family, Yianni gave up the career he enjoyed and in 1968 emigrated with his family to America settling in Baltimore. Yianni obtained a job as an outside mechanic at Maryland Dry Dock. Subsequent to this, he decided he would buy a restaurant. Yianni style, having never worked in a restaurant, he operated The Lakewood Grill in East Baltimore with the family residing above the restaurant. Their children learned at a very young age -- Mariguola who was 6 with her curly head that barely reached above the restaurant counter and Dimitre who was 10 -- by example, the life skills of working hard. As a family, they successfully ran their restaurant for 25 years while their children went on to attend college, business school, and law school. Yianni and Irini were never without each other, when you saw one, you saw the other. He was her driver. Wherever she needed to go, the market, church, they were on the move, even driving to Michigan a few times a year to visit their son and his family into his 80s. Yianni and Irini lived their lives as true Orthodox Christians. They attended services regularly at the Baltimore churches; and then he attended the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church when his beloved Irini passed away and he moved to Michigan. They instilled in their children, led by example, who instilled in their children, the Orthodox faith. Yianni and Irini, together, always as a unit, raised their children in a very loving and kind home.

Yianni was a captivating storyteller spending much of his time telling his children and grandchildren stories from his youth. There was not a thing he could not fix, all he needed was a drill, a screw, and a nut. He enjoyed being out and about talking to people, helping people, attending parties, family dinners, Greek festivals, coffee hours, and working at the fish fry. He made friends easily. Affectionately, he was called "Papou" or "Mr. John" by many. Yianni was very wise, philosophical, and a perceptive judge of character. Yianni had a great sense of curiosity and asked a lot of questions. He was a patient teacher and enjoyed teaching and playing chess and ping pong with his children and grandchildren. He struck a deal with his grandchildren, where he would teach them a Greek word and they, in turn, would teach him an English word. Yianni had a favorite expression he used often, "Repetition is the Mother of Learning."

In his retirement, he continued to work diligently to perfect his English, learning words at the collegiate level. With his thirst for knowledge, he always carried a pen and a small notebook to jot down something he had learned. Yianni enjoyed being outside and always planted a large garden. His grandchildren, oftentimes, would be found alongside him "helping" him garden. His favorite place to be was at the beach and swimming. The family took many trips to Ocean City and the Jersey shore. Later in life, they traveled with their children and grandchildren on trips to the beach, including a trip to Greece where he swam with his grandchildren in the Aegean Sea. Most of all, Yianni was his happiest being with his family.

Yianni had a way about him, whether it was his charisma and fun spirit, the twinkle in his eye, or his infectious laugh, he was a true gentleman who danced through his life, even dancing his last Greek dance a few weeks ago on Christmas day with his granddaughter. Even though we will miss our fearless and cherished, Patera (father), Papou (grandfather), Theo (uncle) – who is survived by many nieces and nephews in New Jersey and Greece -- and friend, Irini has been waiting a long time for her beloved Yianni in paradise.

Zoe Se Mas –

May His Memory Be Eternal