John Kapetaneas

John Kapetaneas, 90, of Peru passed away on September 14, 2024 peacefully at home after a short illness surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Friday September 20 at the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle with Father Panagotis Boznos officiating. Burial will follow at St. Vincent's Cemetery in La Salle.

Mr. Kapetaneas was born in Mystras, Greece on November 22, 1933 to Leonidas and Maria (Vavaroutsos) Kapetaneas. In 1951, at the age of 18, he moved from Greece to New York City, where he lived for most of his life. He enlisted with the United States Army. He moved to Connecticut where Mr. Kapetaneas learned the pizza business from his uncle. He married Freda Lympiotakos on November 20, 1960. In 1977, when moving to Illinois, he opened the Peru Pizza House and continued working there until his retirement in 1998 at the age of 65. He and his wife Freda wintered in Florida. They were members of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Florida. 

Mr. Kapetaneas enjoyed the company of friends and was good to his friends. He was generous to many. He enjoyed working in his yard landscaping and fishing in Florida.

Mr. Kapetaneas is survived by his wife Freda of Peru; three daughters Mary (Dan) Cusick of Peru, Voula (Lou) Charouhis of Warrenville, and Leona (Kerry) Kelly of Oglesby; four grandchildren Alex Cusick, Kristina Cusick, Kaitlyn Kelly, and Lia Charouhis; nieces; and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Elias Kapetaneas, and siblings that passed during childhood. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. George Orthodox Church in Spring Valley.

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