James George "Jim" KANTARIS

KANTARIS, OLSON, FIESELMAN, BENBOW, ANDERSON, BOYD, QUINTEROS, ROBERSON, BROOKS, HICKMAN, HOLMES, DECKER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/16/2011 at 02:51:53

Obituary - James George "Jim" Kantaris
October 31, 1930 ~ February 24, 2011

James George KANTARIS of Mason City, passed away Thursday, (Feb. 24, 2011) at his home, surrounded by his family.

A memorial Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, (March 5, 2011) at Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams Ave., Mason City, with the Rev. Michael SCHUELLER, officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, where full military honors will be conducted by members of the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday March 4th, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, where a Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m.

Memorials may be directed towards the VFW Honor Guard or the Mason City Veteran's Memorial Association, in care of Gail KANTARIS, 404 22nd St SE, Mason City, IA 50401.

James George KANTARIS was born on October 31, 1930 in Mason City to Ann Margaret (OLSON) and George James KANTARIS. He graduated from Mason City High School. Following high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving his country during the Korean Conflict. He was employed by: National by Products, Briggs Transportation, retired from Yellow Freight Systems and then work part time for IOOF Home where he enjoyed socializing with the patients.

James was united in marriage to Gail FIESELMAN. They had five children. Pamela, Michael, Robert, Lynn and James.

He was a member of the following organizations: VFW Post 733, Moose Lodge, Disabled American Veterans, Masonic Temple-Harding Lodge, 32nd Degree Mason-Scottish Right, Military Order of Cooties, AHEPA Lodge and Mason City Veteran's Memorial Association.

Jim was a patriot with a heart for people, especially those who have faithfully served their country. He coached Little League Baseball, served on the Mason City Civil Service Commission, helped raise money for a van for speech-impaired children for the March of Dimes, taught gun safety classes & flag etiquette to all fourth-graders throughout the public and private school systems in Mason City, organized and helped run a free Halloween and Valentine's Parties for the mentally challenged adults held annually at the VFW and participated for many years in the Bank of America's Giving Tree.

Those grateful in sharing in his life are his wife, Gail, children Pamela (Wayne) BENBOW, Chanhassen, MN, Michael (Patricia), Chelsea, Alabama, Robert (Special Friend Sandy BOYD) Mason City, Lynn Ann ANDERSON, Eden Prairie, MN, James (DeeDee) Mason City; Grandchildren, Tom BENBOW, Cate (Patrick) QUINTEROS, Courtney Decker, Brenna BENBOW, Kaely and Alexis KANTARIS, Joshua, Zane (Angela), and Quentin KANTARIS, Briana (Steve) ANDERSON ROBERSON, Tanner ANDERSON, Zachary and Kalliope KANTARIS; Jim was also the great-grandfather to 5 young children: Kellen and Elena KANTARIS, Owen DECKER, and Mena and Parker QUINTEROS; Special Uncle, Leanord OLSON; brother-in-laws Robert and Lawrence FIESELMAN; family friends, Jessica BROOKS and Will HICKMAN.

Jim was preceded in death by his sisters Darlene HOLMES and Phyllis KANTARIS and a grandson, Joshua KANTARIS.

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Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, February 24, 2011
by John Skipper

Mr. VFW, Jim Kantaris, dies at 80
MASON CITY — Mr. VFW.

That’s how friends are remembering Jim KANTARIS of Mason City, who died Thursday in his home at the age of 80. KANTARIS was a longtime VFW official who was known to many in North Iowa for being master of ceremonies at Veterans Day activities and other military events.

He was a member of the Honor Guard. In 2009, KANTARIS received a citation recognizing his participation in 540 military funerals since 2001.

Chuck HARRIS, a lifelong friend, said he and KANTARIS grew up together and went to Madison School.

"I really grew close to him through our work together at the VFW," said HARRIS. "What people will remember about Jim is that he handled everything. He was a very hard worker and people who knew him knew he was a straight shooter."

HARRIS said KANTARIS had a good sense of humor.

"He really took it on the chin for being Greek," he said. "Jim used to say there are only two kinds of people in the world — those who are Greek and those who wish they were."

Don HAMLIN also worked with KANTARIS at the VFW.

"He was a wonderful fellow. You couldn’t ask for a better friend," said HAMLIN.

"He was also a staunch Republican and took a lot of kidding about that. If you wanted to get him going, just start talking about Democrats," he said.

HAMLIN also mentioned KANTARIS' pride in his heritage.

"We used to call him Jimmy the Greek," he said. "He'll be missed by a lot of people."

Arrangements are under direction of Hogan Bremer Moore Memorial Chapel.

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2011

Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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