Samuel C. Gianakura

GIANAKURA, Samuel C., age 79, of Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, passed away January 1, 2010 at Kettering Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. He was born June 7, 1930 in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan to Christe and Katherine Gianakura. Sam grew up in the Sault and worked for the United States Steel for 35 years and also served in the United States Army.

Sam is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Matoula Gianakura; his three children, Kathy (Hugh) McNicholl of Dayton, Ohio, Chris (Stacy) Gianakura of Boston, Massachusetts, Andrea (Russell) Hart of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and two grandchildren Daniel and Brian McNicholl. Also surviving, one brother, Peter (Georgia) Gianakura of Sault Ste Marie, Michigan and three sisters, Sophie (Bill) Kephart of Lexington, Kentucky, Helen (Gilbert) Reinkensmeyer of Kalamzoo, Michigan, and Joy (Tom) Fife of Massanutten, Virginia, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Sam was a member of the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church. He loved to go to Canada, swim, and have coffee with his friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Christe and Katherine Gianakura and brother, John.

Church service will be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 1:00PM at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Dayton, Ohio with funeral arrangements by Newcomer Funeral Home, Kettering, Ohio. A wake service will be held on Friday, January 8, 2010 from 4:00 – 7:00PM at Hovie Funeral Home, Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to the Arthritis Foundation in loving memory of Samuel Gianakura.