Michael Nicholas Gianakas
Michael N. Gianakas, 100, widower of Anna M. Gianakas, of Simpsonville, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, March 25, 2024. Born November 11, 1923 in Karpathos, Greece, he was the son of the late Nicholas and Sophia Gianakas.
Micheal Gianakas immigrated from Karpathos, Greece to the US in 1946 after serving with the British Army in Italy during WWII. He settled in the NY Metro area where he worked in his uncle’s restaurant before building and opening several of his own. He married Anna Mitchell in 1957 whom he met at a Karpathian Dance event in Astoria, Queens. He and his wife Anna bought a house in West Orange, NJ where he raised his two sons, Nick and John. He retired in 1994 and moved with his wife Anna to Simpsonville, SC in 1994 where they loved life in the Southeast. He enjoyed NASCAR, Country Music, and Professional Wrestling and loved driving Anna and Vivian O’Brien, his daughter-in-law Alison’s mother, all around SC, NC, and GA.
While he was born and raised in Greece, he fully assimilated to the American way of life and loved all the United States stands for. He embraced the American Dream and fiercely defended the rights that he acquired as a citizen of the United States of America.
He lived a long, healthy, and productive life full of love for his family and his country.
Mike is survived by two sons, Nick Gianakas of Taylors and John Gianakas and his wife, Alison, of Charleston; four grandchildren, Derek “DJ” Gianakas and his wife, Marissa, of Arkansas, Alyssa Gianakas of Clarksville, TN, Chris “Gia” Gianakas of Greenville, and Danielle Argento and her husband, Marco, of Havelock, NC; and two great-grandsons, Benjamin Gianakas and Alexander Gianakas; and one sister, Frango Alexiades.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 29, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Cannon-Byrd Funeral Home, 1150 North Main Street, Fountain Inn. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 11:00 AM in the Cannon-Byrd Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Cannon-Byrd Memorial Park.
John, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Condolences to you and your family. You are in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Angela M. Rattley
John, Alison and family
We pray that the Holy Spirit will comfort you during this season. Our sincere condolences to the family.
Nick, so sorry to hear about your dad I remember very well ever time he came down to S&L to fix his car he made me laugh. I was happy to see him when he came down to the station. He was a nice guy and he was so proud of you. Again my condolences we’ll all miss him.
John prayers of comfort and peace be with you and your family at this difficult time.
John, I offer my sincere condolences and prayers to you and your family during your time of grieving. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.