John Katsaros Obituary

I knew John for decades. I was a bridesmaid in his sister's wedding. So our families knew each other many years and those were enjoyable years. John seemed to always know how to choose the positive side of a story or a person's experience. I'm sure he is a highly chosen place. Wishing healing and happy mamories to Betty, children, and extended famly. His memory will be eternal! Helen Christopulos LoBosco

Mr. Katsaros was a fine teacher, once who definitely encouraged his students to think for themselves and form their own opinions. I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to his family and friends. Please know that he is at peace with God.

Mr. Katsaros was my teacher at Leyden (Class of '88). He was fair, funny, and inspiring. He always had a big smile and a way of making us laugh (especially when he would jump on his desk to get our attention!). I'll never forget the funny stories of Melanie and Kim growing up and then having the pleasure of meeting them at NIU. I am feeling profound sadness, but he lives on in his kids (especially Kim and Stephanie). I will never forget him. Love to you all...Krissy.

Dear Katsaros Family,

I'm saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Katsaros. I'm just learning about it now from the article in the Elm Leaves. Mr. Katsaros was a wonderful, kindhearted individual who had a great love of teaching and it showed everyday at East Leyden. My condolences to you all.

Sincerely,

Nancy Ciccone-Center

ELHS Class of'81

Very sorry to hear of your loss, John was my teacher when I was a freshman back in 79/80, he was a great teacher & a terrific person.

Dear Katsaros Family

John and I entered East Leyden as "class of '64" teachers. Our careers spanned the Viet Nam years, a tear-gas attack at school, many administrations, blizzards, floods, parties, union meetings,female teachers brazenly wearing pant-suits to school one Thanksgiving, and John flaunting a beard at the opening of a new school year.The cutting edge of change was a favorite place for John. Principle was important, i.e. the thin tie. Always ready with helpful advice, warm friendship, and a jaunty smile, John's passion for life, his family,his students, his friends, Greece, and crossword puzzles will never be forgotten. Neither will his openness, sincerity,and twinkling eyes. We will greatly miss him at the retired teachers luncheons. Please accept our sincere condolences. May his memory be eternal.

To John's loving family,

John was a special teacher and friend to all of us at East Leyden High School. I can still remember him carrying his crossword puzzle and working on it whenever he had the chance. His sage advice and strong character will always be part of our memories. May his memory be eternal.

Fondly,

Mary and John Alukos

Kim,

My children forwarded this to me. I am sorry to hear of your loss. I hope, no I know, that the love of your family and friends and your wonderful memories of your father will help you through the times ahead. I still have special memories of you and your father.

Your old time Proviso East friend, Leslie Swords

Dear Katsaros Family-

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Katsaros. He was my teacher at East Leyden in 1983 and 1984 and really helped to develop my interest in social sciences. I have my degree in psychology because of the concern/interest/enthusiasm of teachers like him from high school. Please accept my condolences on your loss.

To the Katsaros family:

We will always remember our good neighbor.



The Hadad family

Dearest Betty and Family,

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of John. May he be at peace now. My prayers are with you. With deepest sympathy,

Stefanie and Bernie Olson

Heart felt condolences to Betty and the entire Katsaros family. Our families were joined together in July of 04 with Mel and Joe's wedding and we had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with John and his family. I will always remember Johns warmth and humor and the feeling of love that was evident during our time together in Breckenridge.John's love for his family is something we will all carry with us a long long time and I am thankful my family and I had the opportunity to know John. He will be missed tremendously by us all but never forgotten.

Kim and family -



I was SO sorry to hear about your dad. I just heard last night and unfortunately I am out of town and cannot attend the service. I can say that I know first hand the pain you and your family are feeling. You are all in my prayers. If there is anything you need -- PLEASE don't hesistate to ask. My prayers are with all of you.



Lauren DeBenedictis

I am so sorry to hear of your loss and the passing of John Katsaros. Not many days pass when I don't think about him and remember him and my days at East Leyden fondly. Mr. Katsaros was the main catalyst for my selection of Economics as a college major. He was a great man and wonderful teacher. Adolence is a difficult time as we struggle internally between being children and fighting for our independence as adults. Mr. Kataros maintained a special relationship with us as he treated us with the respect and trust of an adult all the while knowing we were still somewhat immature children deep inside. He touched the lives of 1000's of students which makes his legacy live on forever. I know this because he was my teacher in 1978 and I still think of him today more than a quarter century later.

Our deepest condolences to the entire Katsaros family. We were fortunate to have met John through our friendship with Kim, our daughter's dear friend. Thank you, Kim, for making it possible for us to know your father.



Mary and Jerry Arden

Dearest Betty,

I am so very sorry for the loss of your dear, sweet, very witty husband John. Please know that I have been flooded with questions about your well being. Members of both the faculty and administration as well as the ENTIRE student body of the Medical School are all thinking about you and wishing well for you and your whole family. We miss your smiling face around here.

With love,

Kamla

He was a teacher, first and foremost. When we were growing up, John was our older cousin, but he was much more than that. He was always there to counsel us, encourage us, teach us life lessons about fairness, work ethic, scholarship in school, competitiveness in anything, be it a board game like Scrabble or Risk, or softball, or political debate. He taught us to treat everyone equally regardless of race or creed or color or station in life. He taught us to have an open mind about issues. He treated our opinions with respect. He included us in his life and his family's life. His door was always open, and he was generous with his time. His last struggle was a fight for his life, and he did so with dignity and class and humor and tremendous courage. He really, really loved us all.



John, I'm going to miss you a lot.

Dear Betty:

We are very sorry to hear of John's passing. We will always remembered John for his humor and sensivity for others. There are many fond memories of John which will be with us forever. One of them is how John and Bill (my brother) met and worked at the same rent-a-car place (Hertz, I believed it was) and didn't realized that our Uncle Lee Petropulos married John's cousin, Jean Katsaros until later. (They only knew each other as "Bill and John" for the longest time.)

Bill and I were thinking the same thing this past week that we haven't heard from John via email for awhile.

We enjoyed his emails and they will be missed.

Our heartfelt condolescences goes to you and John's family.



Love, Mary and Sandi Petropulos

Please accept my sincerest sympathy. In the words of the Greek Orthodox memorial service,

May his memory be eternal.

To the Katsaros Family-

It has literally been years (decades) since our "families" have been together. I was so saddened to hear about your dad. I have such fond memories of our kiddie outings back in the early 70's. I'll never forget the basketball games at Leyden. Your dad was such an amazing person. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Betty, though we have never met, please know our thoughts are with you as well.

To the family of John Katsaros,

please except my deepest sympathy for your loss. John was a man that taught with the greatest of passions. His humor and sensibility continue to influence me well into my adult years.I thank him for the lessons learned.

Sam Tolia Class of 83'

Dear Betty,

I was shocked to hear that Johnny passed. Although I had not seen him in a few years I have so many memories going back "many years" of great times with him and you of course. I am glad that we still kept in contact and I will miss Johnny immensely. Johnny was one in a million!

I know that Johnny is now is a better place and without pain, so my prayers are for you and his girls/family. I pray that you all find peace in this difficult time and when you find you are missing him and want to feel sad, pull out one of those wonderfully funny memories of him and you will find yourself smiling.

All my Love,

Debbie

A great teacher and a good friend to all. John/"KatMan" made learning fun. He will be missed but never forgotten and the thin tie will live forevermore.

My condolences, Alex, to you and your family. My thoughts are with you.

Dear Betty

It was such a shock to hear about John's passing especially since we just saw him at the "reunion dinner" a few weeks ago. He looked good to us and I will always remember the heartfelt hug and kiss on the check he gave me. It was a typical Greek welcome for which I will never forget.

God Bless You John, you will ALWAYS be in our prayers!

Bob & Anne

With deepest sympathy to the family of a great guy and a terrific teacher, from an old student...class of '70.

Dear Betty,

Please accept Judy and my deepest sympathies for the loss of John/"Alex." As I said to you in my other e mail, it is amazing that through out all these years, we remained in contact and occassionally would see each other when I could when I was in Chicago. My memory of our dinner together with Triebe just last fall at "First and Last" is a fond one. Johnnie was always his own person but yet had a compassion for others. One of the reasons we probably remained good friends, notwithstanding the distance, is that when we first went to the U of I and roomed together, it soon became apparent that we had our own living styles. As a result, we drew straws and I moved out "down the hall." It saved our relationship and he did end up being in my wedding party, many years later. We will all miss him. Extend our condolences to his children and his sibllings.



Steve and Judy Wlodarczyk

Our deepest sympathy to you Betty and your family. We will always remember John with his gracious smile and instant wit. We will miss him as a genuine person and his e-mail messages that kept us entertained.

Dear Betty,



I was greatly saddened to hear about John's passing last night. Milka and I are so thankful that we had the opportunity to see you both at dinner just three weeks ago. Unfortunately we're in Tucson right now and schedule conflicts will prevent us from attending his service, but please know that our thoughts will be with you in this time grief.



John was a very dear old friend who touched the lives of many people. Some of my most recent pleasant memories were of the fishing trips we took up to Mike's Michigan cabin and the fun we had in the boat discussing all manner of subjects with John. I didn't always agree with his opinions, but I always enjoyed the opportunity to share ideas with him, and knew I would always get a reasoned intelligent response from John.



He was an intelligent, warm, caring and compassionate man who will be missed by all that knew him. Please accept our condolences and extend them to all his children.



Sincerely,



John and Milka Triebe

They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Stephanie, your talent, attitude, work ethic and passion for life are a positive reflection on your father, a man whom I never had the pleasure of meeting. I wish you and your family my deepest sympathy during this difficult time.