John T. Katsaros
John T. Katsaros, 92, died Friday, November 26, at Health Alliance Leominster Hospital
Born March 17, 1918 in Lowell, Massachusetts, the son of Taxiarchy Katsaros and Anna Manolopoulou Katsaros. He was the oldest of five children. The family moved to Fitchburg in 1929 upon the death of their father.
He was a member of the Greek Orthodox Church before graduating from Fitchburg High School in 1936. He attended New York University and served in the army during WWII where he trained as a cook and a radio operator. While briefly in Hawaii in 1944, John had a two-day reunion with his youngest brother, Nicholas, who was serving in the Naval Air Corps aboard the US Ticonderoga. Two days later, Nicholas, age twenty, was killed in a plane crash.
After the war, John served in the Naval Reserves. He attended Boston University on the GI Bill and later worked at the General Electric plant in Fitchburg. Leaving GE, he joined the Merchant Marine, serving as chief radio officer on both passenger and cargo ships and traveled the world in that capacity for over thirty years.
In 1984 he retired, living several years in Short Beach, Nova Scotia before returning to Fitchburg.
He was pre-deceased in 1997 by his brother William, of Santa Rosa, California, and a sister, Penelope, who died in infancy. He is survived by his sister, Aliki Katsaros of Fitchburg, a nephew, William Katsaros of Santa Rosa California and cousins, Diana Forbes, Basil Mann, Daniel Mann, Eugenia Mann, Florence Kowalchuk, Stella Rallis, John Rallis, Daphne Zachary and Constantine Zachary.
The Funeral will be private. A memorial service is planned.
Donations may be made to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1319 Main Street, Fitchburg MA 01420. The family wishes to thank the Caldwell Home, Fitchburg, for their exceptional care and attention while John was in residence.
Bosk Funeral Home 85 Blossom St. is assisting the family.
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