Obituary: John Anthony (Tony) Dageenakis

John Anthony (Tony) Dageenakis passed on to the presence of the Lord on January 6, 2019 at 1:27pm. He was surrounded by those who loved him most as he made his entrance into God’s hands. He was 86 years young and truly lived a full and special life. He was born on September 6, 1932 as the second child of 7 to Anthony John and Carmela Dageenakis in the city of Johnstown, New York.

He served in the US Navy during the Korean War from 1950-1953 and returned to upstate New York to marry Elayne Nicholas on September 20, 1953. Together they moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1954 where he attended the University of Colorado on the GI Bill, pursuing an Electrical Engineering degree.

In 1957, John was offered an opportunity to own and operate what would become the first of his Gasoline Service Stations that would define his business life for another 62 years.

Almost immediately after arriving in Boulder, John became extremely involved in so many charitable and service-oriented organizations. To name a few: he was instrumental in starting the Boulder YMCA Men’s Club, Niwot-Gunbarrel Kiwanis Club and GLVRA (now known as Niwot Youth Sports). He was also heavily involved in Niwot Boy Scouts Troop 161, the Boulder Elks Club, American Legion, AHEPA (Greek Men’s Organization), and has served many times on Boards of various organizations and churches that he had become involved in.

To those that knew him well, there wasn’t anything he would do moderately, it was full speed ahead with passion, heart, determination and a will to succeed. That would define his non-business life, always giving and never asking for anything in return. His family life was even more important and impressive to all that called him Dad, Brother, Uncle, Cousin and Grandfather (Papou). He was always surrounded by family because he was truly the center of it.

John also loved woodworking and gardening; and was always involved in whatever his sons’ passions were.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother George Dageenakis and sister Marie Mowrey.

John is survived by his wife, Elayne, whom he celebrated 65 years of marriage with on September 20th of this past year; his three sons and their families: Anthony (Linda) and their 3 children: John (Bethani), Danielle and Alexa; Jeffrey (Nicole) and his 2 children: David (Serena) and Christopher (Hannah); and Craig (Caryn) and their 2 children: Kymberly (Wade) and Sotera; and 6 great grandchildren: Mason, Christian, Tyson, Greysen, Phoenix and Zoey. John is also survived by his siblings, whom all followed him out to Colorado at one point in their lives: Josephine Pritchard (Hershey, Pa), Helen Craver (Lafayette), Ann Jacyszyn (Arvada) and Anthony Dageenakis (Boulder); as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins whom all loved him dearly.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM Thursday January 17, 2019 at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel 326 Terry St, Longmont, CO 80501. Funeral service 10:00 AM Friday January 18, 2019 at St’s Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church 5640 Jay Rd, Boulder, CO 80301. Private family burial at Green Mountain Cemetery. Celebration Feast to be held at Avalon Ballroom 6185 Arapahoe, Boulder, CO 80303 from 1:00 P.M. -5:00 P.M.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to St’s Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church. Visit http://www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.