Kostantinos Ilvanakis

04/23/1923 – 10/05/2013
Gus Ilvanakis, age 90, of Bellingham passed away peacefully on October 5, 2013 from complications of melanoma. Gus was born on April 23, 1923 in Kavala, Greece to George and Efthalia Ilvanakis. He served in the Greek military for five years during WWII. In 1954 he immigrated to Canada and began working at Alcan Aluminum in Kitimat, B.C. He married Maria Kipelidis on February 15th 1959 in Kavala, Greece. They lived in Kitimat where their two daughters Natalie and Susan were born and life-long friendships were developed. In 1967, Gus was transferred to the United States to work at Intalco Aluminum. He worked as an Industrial Electrician until he retired in 1986. Gus was a committed family man and always placed his family first. He was very proud of all of their accomplishments and loved to share their stories. He truly enjoyed life and lived it fully until the very end. He was a dedicated volunteer and member of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church and was a board member. Gus was instrumental in the building of the new church, including the placement of the icons in its dome. He loved to travel, read histories, learn new things, and visit with his friends. He became a U.S. Citizen in the 1970’s and was very proud to call himself an American. Gus enjoyed gardening and tending to his fruit trees. His original fig tree was grafted into new fig trees for his many friends in the area. He loved to tinker in his garage and fix everything for everyone. His many friends from around the world will remember Gus with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face, and how he would break into song and dance whenever possible. He loved all children especially his grandsons Ted and Alex. Gus was preceded in his death by his siblings Theodore, Maria and Despina. His is survived by his loving wife of 54 years Maria, daughters Natalie (husband John) Koenig, and Susan Ilvanakis (husband Thomas Emanouilidis), grandsons, Theodore Konstantinos and Alexander Monroe Koenig, brother Steve, close nephews and nieces and many loving relatives and friends. A Trisagion Service will be held at Westford Funeral Home on Thursday, October 10th at 7 pm. A Funeral Service will be held at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church on Friday October 11th at 11 am with Fr. Michael Tervo officiating. Burial service will follow at Bayview Cemetery. Lunch will follow at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in memory of Kostantinos Ilvanakis.

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