Louis S. KatsaounisMANSFIELD: Louis S. Katsaounis passed away April 21, 2017 at home. Louis (Romylios) was born on November 28, 1932 in Lakomata, Kastoria, Greece to Stergios and Panayiota (Theodorou) Katsaounis. He was an adventurer and entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word. He immigrated to this country with his family in January 1968 looking for a better opportunity. Even though he was a successful farmer, he yearned for a better life for himself and his family. With a sponsorship from his brother-in-law, James George and sister-in-law, Anthi George, he sold his farming equipment, packed all the family belongings, and boarded an Italian liner named Christopher Columbus with his wife and two children to sail to America, in mid-January no less. Upon arriving in Mansfield, his brother-in-law helped get him work as a janitor at the Leland Hotel and a second job at the Mansfield Memorial Nursing Home. Eventually, he went to work at the GM plant in Ontario, but hated factory work so much so that he was seriously thinking of moving back to Greece. Luckily, his other brother-in-law, Jimmy Papas, convinced him to open a restaurant, and that became his passion that convinced him to stay in America. He would go on to open more restaurants over the years, and the Mansfield Restaurant is his legacy.Louis was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Athena Kyrou. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years (64 if you count time engaged, which he proudly did), Panelopi (Ioannidou); son, William (Tena) Katsaounis; brothers, Mihalis, Nikolas, Pashalis in Greece; sister, Vaitsa in Australia; sister-in-law, Anthi George; brother-in-law, James Papas; son-in-law, Vasilios Kyrou; grandchildren, Amy (Billy) Hronis, Pete (Jill) Kyrou, Romylios, Connie and Anthony Katsaounis; great-grandchildren, Athanasia and Vasiliki Hronis and Athenoula Kyrou; and numerous nieces and nephews in the United States and Greece.The family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., with a Trisagion service at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service conducted by Father Michael Ellis will be held Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at Sts. Contantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. He will be laid to rest in Mansfield Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Louis' memory to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 265 West Third St., Mansfield, OH 44902. Words of comfort may be expressed at
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