John Andrew Kyritsis' Obituary
John Andrew Kyritsis, 85 of Lewes, DE died at his home on Wednesday, October 5th after a short illness surrounded by his loving family.
John was born in Wilmington, DE to Andrew and Mary Kyritsis who immigrated to Delaware from the island of Milos, Greece. John grew up in Newport and graduated from Henry C. Conrad High School where he played varsity basketball, football and ran track. John received an Associate’s degree from the University of Delaware.
John’s first job was with the family bakery in Newport and those early skills provided numerous people with delicious pies and sticky buns.
After graduation he entered the Army where he served overseas in France and Germany. Upon discharge he was employed by the DuPont Company for 41 years in Textile Research at Chestnut Run in Wilmington, retiring in 1991 as Operations Manager.
John married Evelyn McKee in 1955. Together they raised their family. John’s love for his family was endless and expressed in numerous ways. He was always present for his 3 children and 5 grandchildren providing guidance, support, love and help with everything when needed. John was a perfect role model, he was filled with kindness and a man with gentle strength.
John loved sailing, spending much time on Chesapeake Bay, Virgin Islands and the Greeks Isles with his beloved wife Evelyn and family. John along with his family traveled many times to Europe. He especially liked to visit Greece where he still has numerous cousins. He was very proud of his Greek heritage.
John enjoyed many hobbies including stained glass, woodworking, canning, and gardening. He especially enjoyed driving his vintage Mercedes 190 SL sports car around Lewes. As a young man John got his private pilot’s license, owned and flew a PT-19 Trainer plane.
John’s life was one of service and volunteerism. He was active with Habitat for Humanity in Wilmington and Lewes, Meals on Wheels, Vestry member St James Episcopal Church, intramural basketball coach at John Dickinson High School and Junior Achievement advisor.
After moving to Lewes DE in 2004. John was active in the restoration of the Lightship Overfalls in Lewes, served on Board of Directors, a member of the Dirty Hands Gang and was a guide for ship tours. John was instrumental in the group who restored a monomoy life savings boat for the Overfalls. He was also involved with Lewes in Bloom.
John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Evelyn McKee Kyritsis of Lewes, DE; daughters Susan Winward and her husband David, Marilynn Bartley, and son A. John Kyritsis from Wilmington, DE; his grandchildren; Alexander Winward, Sara Bartley, Elizabeth Bartley, Juli Ann Kyritsis and John (Jack) Kyritsis; his brothers: Joseph and George Kyritsis; his sisters: Helen Leounes, Catherine Graham and her husband Alton; his nieces and nephews: Karen McDowell, Elaine Bristowe, Marianne Stewart, Andrew Kyritsis, Christine Graham, Nicole Goss, Mary Beth Vore and other loved ones.
John was predeceased by his parents Andrew and Mary Kyritsis, daughter Patricia and brother Nicholas Kyritsis.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes, DE on Monday, October 10, 2016 at 12:00 pm. Where friends may visit beginning at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to the Overfalls Foundation, P.O. Box 413 Lewes DE or St Peter’s Episcopal Church P.O. Box 464, Lewes DE.
Please sign John’s online guestbook located on this site.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE HAVE ALL FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS DELIVERED BY 4 PM, SUNDAY OCTOBER 9, 2016 TO PARSELL FUNERAL HOMES, LEWES, DE.
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