Obituary for John George Foscolos Sr.
John George Foscolos Sr., 86, of Broad Brook, CT passed away peacefully at Hartford Hospital on December 9, 2020 after a short but valiant battle against various health complications including Lymphoma. John was born in New York City on February 17, 1934 to Stamatia and Athanasios Foskolos (immigrants from Greece). He attended Samuel Gompers High School and was an Honors Graduate of the University of Bridgeport School of Engineering. As a teenager, he loved electronics and worked at a local radio and TV store repairing radios and installing the new technology televisions for customers. John served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1955, and was stationed in Korea in 1953 maintaining Ground Control Approach Radar equipment allowing F-86 jets to land safely in foggy weather after returning home from the war zone. While training as a radar technician in Biloxi, MS, he participated in the base boxing tournament and won the Welterweight Championship in 1952. He attended college after serving, graduated in 1960, and worked at Univac, Honeywell Computers, Echlin Manufacturing, and Gerber Scientific over his career. John had several professional accomplishments related to electronic smart bombs, helicopter gas turbines, early electronic computer equipment, and ignition systems.
John married Rose Occhipinti in 1954 and they had two children, Mary Anne and John Jr., before graduating from Engineering school. While at Gerber Scientific, he met the love of his life (John’s words), Kim, who shared his passion for boating and skiing. They had a boat for 15 years, and cruised the CT River, Long Island Sound, and to Block Island, plus took many large ship cruises in various parts of the world. John was a member of the Mt. Laurel Ski Club for many years and they skied in New England, the Midwest, and Europe.
John was formerly President of the Parish Council of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church of Enfield and then a member of the Parish Council of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Luke in East Longmeadow. He was a kind and thoughtful person traveling several times to CA and FL to help his sisters when emergencies came up. He also was a strong believer in education and encouraged his children and grandchildren to pursue their dreams.
Along with his wife Kim of over 30 years and feline companion Peekaboo, he leaves his daughter Mary Anne, son John Jr. and his wife Mary, their two children Holly and Nikki, all of SC; sisters Anna Tzinakos of NY and Kitty Petrantis of TX, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom he loved so much. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Soterios and Stamatios, sisters Sophie Bewick, Alexandria Sanchez, Mary Kastle, Bessie Herzog. He will be missed by his family and close friends.
A Funeral Service will be held at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Luke in East Longmeadow, MA at 10am on Monday, December 14, 2020. Burial will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in East Windsor, CT. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing guidelines. Family and friends are invited to the graveside service or to ‘drive by’ after the service to receive a token of the family’s appreciation. The Bassinger & Dowd Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.
John married Rose Occhipinti in 1954 and they had two children, Mary Anne and John Jr., before graduating from Engineering school. While at Gerber Scientific, he met the love of his life (John’s words), Kim, who shared his passion for boating and skiing. They had a boat for 15 years, and cruised the CT River, Long Island Sound, and to Block Island, plus took many large ship cruises in various parts of the world. John was a member of the Mt. Laurel Ski Club for many years and they skied in New England, the Midwest, and Europe.
John was formerly President of the Parish Council of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church of Enfield and then a member of the Parish Council of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Luke in East Longmeadow. He was a kind and thoughtful person traveling several times to CA and FL to help his sisters when emergencies came up. He also was a strong believer in education and encouraged his children and grandchildren to pursue their dreams.
Along with his wife Kim of over 30 years and feline companion Peekaboo, he leaves his daughter Mary Anne, son John Jr. and his wife Mary, their two children Holly and Nikki, all of SC; sisters Anna Tzinakos of NY and Kitty Petrantis of TX, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom he loved so much. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Soterios and Stamatios, sisters Sophie Bewick, Alexandria Sanchez, Mary Kastle, Bessie Herzog. He will be missed by his family and close friends.
A Funeral Service will be held at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Luke in East Longmeadow, MA at 10am on Monday, December 14, 2020. Burial will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in East Windsor, CT. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing guidelines. Family and friends are invited to the graveside service or to ‘drive by’ after the service to receive a token of the family’s appreciation. The Bassinger & Dowd Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.