John Harry Sofios' Obituary
John Harry Sofios, 80, of Antioch, passed away Monday, April 9, 2018. He was born in Bowling Green, Ohio, on May 14, 1937,
a son of Greek immigrants. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Helen Sofios and a brother, Ted Sofios.
Upon returning from Germany after serving in the U.S. Army, he began his career working for the East Bay Regional Park District. He retired as Supervisor of Briones Park in 1999 and was very proud of his 32 years of service.
During the seventies, he and his brother, Ted, opened a Greek Taverna in Berkeley, called Aitos. There they taught Greek dancing and became very well known in the Bay Area for performing traditional Greek dances.
He was a lover of music, and was an avid Jazz fan, and followed the Oakland and San Francisco Jazz scene for many years.
John loved people and most of the time was the life of the party. He would go out of his way to talk to strangers. Sometimes this act alone led to lifetime friendships. He was loved deeply by his family and friends and will be missed.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Kay Sofios, his daughter, Nicole and son-in-law, Dean Miller, and step-daughter, Robyn Wood.
He is also survived by brothers, Nicholas Sofios and wife Virginia of Rhode Island, Chuck Sofios and wife Sandy of Michigan, sisters-in-law
and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Lamar Brown, and Joyceanne Williams of Georgia. Nieces and nephews, Jim and Nancy Sofios and children Nick & Nicole, Alysia Sofios, Evangeline Johnson and children Erin and Christopher, Kim Hersch, Gregory Sofios and Melissa Mudgett,
Stephanie and Jon Kirwan and daughter Nicolette, Scott Williams and son Brandon, Adam Brown, Kari & Greg Sostrom and sons, Tyler, Cody, and Jordan.
Goddaughter Mimi Mantalvanos and special cousins, Peggy and Jimmy Tanaka.
Services are Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 1:00 at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA. There will be a visitation in the chapel from 4:00-7:00 on Tuesday, April 17.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations for a bench in Briones Park, Martinez, CA, to honor John.
https://www.gofundme.com/johns-memorial-bench
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?