John C. Volanakis
1924 – 2011

WEST SPRINGFIELD – John C. Volanakis age 87 passed away on December 3, 2011 at Heritage Hall West after a short illness. He was born in Springfield, February 26, 1924, the son of the late Malama and George P. Volanakis and was a lifelong resident of West Springfield until he moved to the Heritage Woods Assisted Care Facility in Agawam. He graduated from West Springfield High School and American International College and attended graduate school at Boston University. During World War II he completed the Navel Officers' Cadet Program at Trinity College, Hartford, CT, entered active duty as an Ensign and served on a minesweeper in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. Following these activities, he and his late sister Mary owned and operated the Royal Laundry and the West Springfield Motel for a number of years until his retirement. He was a lifelong member of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, a member of the Mt. Orthodox Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Connecticut Valley and was active in the Melha Temple Shrine. John was an avid card player and especially enjoyed the game of bridge and playing poker with his Heritage Woods neighbors. He was an extensive world traveler with family and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Mary Volanakis, his brother Peter G. Volanakis and his grand nephew Paul Hanson. Survivors include his brother's wife Freda of Hilton Head Island, SC., his niece Sandra Hanson, his nephews George B. and his wife Ruth A. of Hilton Head, SC and Peter F. and his wife Cathryrn of Corning, NY, several grandnephews a grandniece, and a number of cousins. The funeral will be held at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home, 109 Main Street Friday at 9:00am with service in St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 10:00am followed by burial in Oak Grove Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Thursday from 4:00 – 7:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mary Volanakis Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1500 Main Street, P.O. Box 15769, Springfield, MA 01115.