Obituary of Ioannis Lazarou

A Funeral service will be held at 430 West Wheat Road, Vineland, NJ 08360 on Friday, November 1, 2024 at 11:00am with Reverend of Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church officiating. Burial will follow at Siloam Cemetery, 550 North Valley Ave, Vineland, NJ 08360. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00am to 11:00am. DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home, Vineland will be handling the funeral arrangements.

Ioannis Lazarou was born in Elefsina, Greece to Efstratios and Anastasia Lazarou on April late 1940s. He attended the local public school in his hometown. He served in the Army in Greece for 4 years. He was working in construction as a mason and mosaicist. He worked in Vineland, NJ at the public school district as a maintenance worker and retired. He was a devout Christian.

John is survived by his brother Nick; sister-in-law, Athen;, nephew, Strato; nieces, Soula and Vasiliki; sister, Carol and nephew, Stavro; his sister-in-law, Sonia and great-nephews and great-nieces, Nathanel, Lia, Yianni, Niko, Theodoros and Dimitri. He has a large extended family in Greece from his parents side and in Puerto Rico from his predeceased wife's side. He is preceded in death by his wife, Maria Lazarou.

John was passionate in every aspect of his life and character. In the Army he served proudly and would talk about his accomplishments there frequently; as a mason he offered quality in his work and he even built a home mostly by his own efforts for his parents, brother and sister in Greece. He was an avid weight lifter and was known in the Buena, Hammonton areas as big John due to the bent bars after heavy weight lifting. He was very serious and ingrained in the Orthodox faith; he would attend church frequently and would assist the priest in the altar, he got involved in the community by offering his time and donated despite his minimal income. During the last years he had a hard time walking and standing yet he would still attend and complete his duties in church. At the school district he was respected for his work ethic and quality he offered in everything he was doing and in the way he interacted with people. When his wife had the misfortune of illness for most of their years together, he took care of her and loved her as he did on the first day. He was an inspiration due to his big heart, strong will and physical strength. He will be remembered as a man that gave many examples that it is possible to be kind, openhearted, giving and passionate despite the difficulties of life.

Memorial donations instead of flowers may be made to Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church, 430 West Wheat Road, Vineland, NJ 08360. https://www.stanthonyvinelandnj.com/

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the community of Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church for their care and support toward John and to all the family and friends that took part in his life and offered their kindness in return.