SALEM - Anastash “Ernie” Yeannakopoulos, 87, of Salem, husband of the late Amalia “Lily” (Kalafatides) Yeannakopoulos, died Sunday evening, August 6, 2006 in the Salem Hospital following a short illness.
Born in Ipswich, he was the son of the late John and Eleni (Eliopoulos) Yeannakopoulos. A resident of Salem since childhood, he was a graduate of Salem High School with the class of 1937.
An Army Air Corps veteran of WWII, he served with Headquarters Squadon, 27th Air Transport Group in the European Theater and attained the rank of Tech Sergeant.
Following the war, Mr. Yeannakopoulos worked at the West Lynn Creamery, later he was an owner of Gold Star Coffee, and then was employed for Araban Coffee for many years until his recent illness.
He was a member of the St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church and past president of Ahepa, both of Peabody.
He is survived by 2 sons and daughters-in-law, John & Lauren Yeannakopoulos of Ipswich, Joakim and Anthy Yeannakopoulos of Lynn, a daughter & son-in-law, Denise & Brian DeFrancesco of Rowley, his longtime companion, Stella Galanis of Ipswich, 3 grandchildren, Lea and Nick DeFrancesco of Rowley, Dimitria Yeannakopoulos of Lynn, 2 step-grandchildren, Matthew Serratore of Salem, Nicole Serratore of New York City, 2 brothers, James and Theodore Yeannakopoulos of Salem, 2 sisters and a brother-in-law, Julia Archon of Salem, Florence & Charles Gianakakis of Ipswich, and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Stavros and Efrosine Yeannakopoulos.
His Funeral will be held Friday at 9 am, August 11, 2006 from the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem, followed by a service at 10 am at the St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, Peabody. Visiting hours are Thursday, 4 to 8 pm. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Burial is in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. For those who desire, donations may be made in his memory to the National Kidney Foundation, 11 Vanderbuilt Ave, #105, Norwood, MA 02062 For on-line guestbook and directions, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.