John C. Cokinos

ROCHESTER, MINN: John C. Cokinos Sr., 81, died Monday, December 16, 2013 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, MN. John Constantine Cokinos Sr. was born February 26, 1932 to Constantine and Maria (Papadakis) Cokinos in Lithoriki, Greece. He moved from Athens, Greece to Chicago, IL in 1951 and to Rochester, MN in 1952. John served in the Greek and U.S. Army. He married Katherine Argos on September 30, 1956; and she died in December 1996. John married Despina Katselis Kallimanis on November 28, 1998 in Rochester, MN. John worked at Michael's Restaurant for twenty years and operated his own restaurants; including John's Family Restaurant, until his retirement in 1999. John was a founding member of Holy Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church. He was a fifty year member of The Order ofAHEPA, a thirty-two degree Mason and a member of the Shriners. He enjoyed gardening, traveling to Greece, history, food and wine, and spending time with his family and friends. John is survived by his wife Despina Cokinos, Rochester, MN; his three children, Elaine Cokinos, Rochester, MN, Maria Cokinos Campbell, Rochester, MN and John (Lisa) Cokinos, New York, NY; three step children, Spiro (Teresa) Kallimanis, Minneapolis, MN, Kathy (Pete) Meletis, Chicago, IL and Angelo Kallimanis, Rochester, MN; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and his sister Efthimia Vlahos, Athens, Greece. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Katherine, seven brothers, and two sisters. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20, 2013 at Holy Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church, 703 W. Center Street, Rochester, MN. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2013 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home with a TRISAGION prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Shriners Children Hospital at Shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.