The Falling Asleep of John V. Pappas
John V Pappas died peacefully in his sleep at Arbor Acres with family by his side on Saturday, February 18th after a brief illness. Born December 14, 1929 at the Baptist Hospital when it was one of the four story buildings on South Hawthorne Road, the son of Vasilios Apostolous and Evangelia Kalyvas Pappas.
At Reynolds High School he played Clarinet in the marching band and also played at the Home Moravian Church for Easter Sunrise Services and at summer concerts at Salem Square. Refreshments were provided by Welfare Drug Store which was next to the original Krispy Kreme doughnut store. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill until interrupted by active duty in the United States Navy. After discharge he opened the Rathskeller in June, 1956, in the basement of his family restaurant on Reynolda Road and across from Hanes Park on the first day of school for Wake Forest in Winston-Salem.
In 1960 he entered the Real Estate Business, first with Vernon Ferrell, then on his own. He retired early so he could spend more time with his family and travel.
He was a member of Forsyth Country Club where he and his wife played golf and tennis. Summers were spent at their home on Cape Cod where they entertained family and friends. Golf, tennis, bridge, and eating were enjoyed daily. He was a long time member of Hyannis Yacht Club.
He was Johnny to his many friends, Papou to his grandchildren, and a true gentleman to all. His generosity was felt by anybody who knew him and his warmth radiated every time he flashed his wonderful smile. Johnny had a kind heart and true Southern charm. Johnny was always impeccably dressed most often in Carolina Blue. He was the ultimate host and a fantastic cook. He had the ability to make you feel like the most important person in the room when he spoke to you.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 43 years Marianne Andreson Pappas, his parents, his brothers Paul V and Gregory V, and Constantine V (Daki), and his son-in-law Drew Shea. He leaves behind his daughters Mimi Shea, and Lisa Field, Lisa's husband Rob of Rye, NY and sister-in-law Judy Pappas of Winston-Salem. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Haley, Shea, a Graduate student at NYU, Alexa Shea, a freshman business school student at Georgetown University, Teddy Shea, a freshman at Salisbury School, Virginia Evangeline Field, a sophomore linguistics student at Georgetown University, Henry John Field, a Senior at Rye High School, and Nicholas Field, an 8th Grader at Rye Middle School. Papou's love and pride for his grandchildren knew no bounds.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 3rd at 10am at the family plot at Forsyth Memorial Park in Winston-Salem. Immediately following the burial a memorial service will be held at Piner Hall at Arbor Acres.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John Pappas's name to: The Winston-Salem Foundation 751 W. Fourth St., Suite 200, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, wsfoundation.org/givenextcentury.aspx; Senior Services Inc. 2895 Shorefair Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27105 seniorservicesinc.org/donate; The Greek Orthodox Church, 435 Keating Dr. W-S, 27104 wsgoc.org. Condolences may be made online at www.salemfh.com.
