Obituaries

Andrew G. Gianopoulos, 91

October 14, 2016

Andrew G. Gianopoulos, 91, of Lancaster passed away Friday, October 14, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Uniontown, PA he was the son of the late Gus and Dina (Metropoulis) Gianopoulos. He was the loving husband of Mary (Dracoules) with whom he shared 66 years of marriage.
Along with his wife Mary, they owned and operated the former Andy’s Catering Service here in Lancaster for over 45 years. Andy was a fun loving, outgoing person who was easy to talk to and was known as a “Great Man, Great Employer” from many of his employees throughout the years. He was a former member of the AHEPA, Red Rose Chapter, and the Lancaster Rotary Club.
Andy started in the restaurant business with his parents at Gus’ luncheonette at the corner of Chestnut and Plum Street. As he saw the food service business change, he was astute enough to change with it, eventually transforming the restaurant into the catering service which was well known throughout Lancaster County in the 1970’s and 1980’s. All of these efforts were a partnership with his wife, Mary. They were a close team with Andy being the genial front of the room man and Mary keeping the kitchen rolling smoothly.

Andy was generous to friends, family and even the person on the street. He donated extra food to the needy, he made sure he was the high bidder in the annual Rotary strawberry auction and even offered shelter, bringing a stranger home during a holiday snowstorm. His generosity was only surpassed by his love of music. Whether it was The Three Tenors, Frank Sinatra or Johann Strauss, he hummed along, sharing the joy with all who listened.

As a husband, his life long love, was his wife Mary. As a father and grandfather, he taught us that hard work is a virtue. As an employer, he considered his employees his friends and they often commented he was their best boss ever. Andy was proud of his Greek heritage and a loved part of the local Greek-American community. As a friend, he always looked forward to his lunches with his buddies and hours relaxing in the steam room at the YMCA.

His family will remember his stories and how he woke up happy each day. The way he learned to accommodate his early loss of vision and never let it stop or slow him is a lesson in strength. We will cherish our memories of him and his life.

In addition to his wife Mary, he is survived by his daughter, Olivia Stewart wife of Clint Buswell of Portland, OR; son, Gus Gianopoulos husband of Leslie and daughter, Anna Marie Smith wife of David both of Lancaster. Andy was “Papou” to his seven grandchildren, Nicole Gianopoulos, Jessica Stewart Keys, Kerri Sweigart, Samantha Willard, Kacy Sheckart and Andrew Smith. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Andrea Gianopoulos. Also surviving are five great grandchildren and his older brother, Nicholas Gianopoulos, husband of Stella, of Elizabethtown.
A Graveside Service will be held at 4PM on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery, 1918 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Andy’s memory may be made to Vision Corps, 244 N. Queen St, Lancaster, PA 17603 or to the charity of his late granddaughter Andrea, Fighting 4 Us, 1818 Millersville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17603.

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Condolences to the Family

October 19, 2016

To say that Uncle Andy was more than an uncle doesn’t begin to describe the person he was.  Although my brother’s nouno, but not mine, he always made me feel as if he was my godfather, too.  As a youngster whose official godparents were seldom-seen, out-of-towners with numerous godchildren, I cherished being so treated by this ever-pleasant, cheerful man who seemed to know absolutely everybody (or, at least, everyone seemed to know him!).  I’m old enough to recall when he converted the hardware store on Millersville Pike to the headquarters for Andy’s eponymous (forgive me for using the word, but I do it in Andy’s honor:  he LOVED words and this one is from the Greek adjective, epōnymos, itself derived from onyma, meaning “name; I’m sure that he’d approve!) Catering Service.  If childhood memory serves, the premises actually served meals out front for a time, before the success of Andy’s Catering ended the full serve restaurant side of the business.
Andy and Mary employed my papou, John Perezous, for many years, so my love affair with Andy’s Catering was unaffected by the restaurant closing.  We regularly picked him up from or dropped him off at work, so seeing my beloved grandfather frequently involved the double-pleasure of seeing Uncle Andy, too, and if I was really lucky, getting to eat whatever wonderful Greek delicacy was being prepared at the moment (OK, I’ll fess up:  although not always in “Greek-mode”, the kitchen was always busy, so any visit was lucky from an eating perspective!).  It was like winning a trifecta when I got to see papou and Uncle Andy at the Annual Red Rose Coin Show where Andy’s Catering supplied the food each year!
 
Several aspects of Uncle Andy’s personality made a strong impression on me:  his infectious optimism, his insatiable curiosity, and his egalitarianism.  He was the first person I knew personally who was so visually-impaired that he could not drive, yet he never allowed this limitation to define or “limit” him.  In addition, despite having to rely on a special ‘reader’ to consume written materials, he never failed to begin conversations with, “I just read that …,” and then ask my opinion.  Finally, though respectful of the many local and national dignitaries he met, either through Rotary or by feeding them at some function, he had an uncanny gift for approaching anyone in an appropriate way.  To call my Uncle Andy a raconteur would be akin to calling Picasso an artist.  Whether wondering about world events or marveling at some scientific discovery, Uncle Andy enjoyed life to its fullest.
 
To Aunt Mary, cousins Anna Marie, Gus, Olivia, and your families, I’ll be with you in spirit at this afternoon’s service to remember and celebrate Uncle Andy.
 
Jonathan Perezous
Potomac Falls, Virginia
 

October 19, 2016

Olivia,
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your father .
John Garrick

October 18, 2016

To the Gianopoulos family.
On behalf of Matthew, Jonathan and Lori Dracoules. We are sorry to hear of Uncle Andy’s passing. He was a Papou to Michael and was always chipper and full of good stories. Out thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love you!
Lori, Matthew and Jonathan  

October 18, 2016

Dear Gus, Leslie and Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. You both have been wonderfully supportive to “Andy” and he could not have asked for a better son. I know he was very proud of you. If I can be of any help, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Warmly,
Kim Wentz, York Tech

October 18, 2016

Gus & Leslie – so sorry of your loss.   Your father will be missed by many people.   Prayers for your family.

October 18, 2016

We are all sorry for your loss.  You are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Cafeteria Ladies at YCST

October 18, 2016

Gus and Leslie,
Sorry to hear of the passing of your dad, please accept me sincere condolenses.
 
Dave Merges

October 18, 2016

My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. I hope you are able to find peace knowing he is now in a better place looking down upon you all.
Sincerely,
Christine Nicodemus,Ytech

October 18, 2016

Our deepest sympathies for your family during this difficult time. The Baker Family.

October 17, 2016

I’m so sorry to hear of the families loss. I had many occasions to enjoy Andy’s cooking and hospitality. My condolences to brother Nick who I worked with for several years. Another great loss for the Greek community.

October 17, 2016

My sympathies to all of the family.  I always remember Mr. Gianopoulos (I couldn’t call him Andy until I was an adult) as smiling and so friendly.  May God wrap his arms around you all as you remember and honor Andy.  I love you all. 
Carol Preston Paulsen

October 17, 2016

Olivia and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. He was such a good man. May all of you share that goodness as you get together to share his life celebration. God bless him and all of you.
 
Steve Senkowski

Services
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
4:00 PM
Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery
1918 Lincoln Highway East
Lancaster, PA
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