Pantelis Fakiris

A much-loved husband, father, grandfather and brother, Pantelis Fakiris, known to all as Peter, passed away April 8, 2013. He bravely confronted and fought cancer.

He was born in Chios, Greece, in 1942 and had resided in New York for the past 43 years.

As a young man, Peter left Chios and served with the Merchant Marine from 1959 to 1970. He quickly learned the full range of maritime skills and was promoted to teaching practical naval techniques from 1963 to 1965. He became captain of a ship and traveled to almost every port in the world for the better part of 10 years.

Peter came to this country as an immigrant in 1971 and, in 1979, founded a company called Summit, located in Long Island City, N.Y. He served as president of Summit until his passing. His love of real estate prompted him to open a company called Gusmar, which included developments in Queens and Suffolk County with single-family homes and commercial property.

The love of the sea always stayed with him. Peter was passionate about the sea and cherished anything to do with the ocean. He loved boating and was an avid fisherman. He also enjoyed specialty gardens, vineyards, his olive trees, talking politics and building miniature sailboat models.

Peter is survived by his wife, Donna; his children, Kostas Fakiris and his wife, Vasilianna, and Marina Fakiris; and his stepchildren, Jasen and Elaine Geraghty and Dan and Tara Busch. He was the adored grandfather of Pantelis and Petra Fakiris and a cherished friend to many. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

The viewing will be held Thursday, April 11, 2013, at Gleason’s Funeral Home, 10-25 150th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 from 2 to 5 and 7 to 10 p.m.

The funeral Mass will be held Friday, April 12, at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Orthodox Church, 150-05 12th Ave., Whitestone, NY 11357. He will be laid to rest in his native town of Chios, Greece.

This is a paid notice.