Michael N Varveris

Michael Nicholas Varveris "Mike" 91, of Albany, GA passed away peacefully at his home on April 25, 2016 after courageously battling cancer.

Mike was born July 26, 1924 in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of the late Nicholas M. and Vassilia (Mavroudis) Varveris. Mike was a 1942 graduate of South High School and, upon graduation, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Mike proudly served in the CBI Theater of War in India and Burma from 1943 through 1946 with the Air Transport Command. While there, Mike edited a mimeographed newspaper, the Sunday Mud and Mildew, which led to his interest in journalism. Mike continued serving his country as a member of the Air Force Reserves retiring as a captain in 1958.

Mike graduated from Kent State University in 1950 where he received BA in Journalism. Mike also attended Akron University Law School from 1965-1966.

A journalistic career spanning more than four decades began in 1951. Mike was employed by Wick Newspapers from 1951-1963. and for Phoenix Publications in Niles from 1963 to 1992 retiring as executive editor of the companies prize-winning weeklies in Girard, Niles, Liberty, Howland, Boardman, Austintown, Canfield, and Poland as well as The Niles Daily Times. A few years before he and his wife moved to Georgia in 2014, Mike had done feature writing for The Review Newspapers.

Mike’s love of the communities in and around Youngstown, where he lived and worked, was evident in his gregarious personality and in his passion for writing. Mike enjoyed people: meeting them, interviewing them, and writing about them. He was a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Indians as well as an avid boxing fan. In 2000, Mike authored and published a nationally well-received book on the life of the undefeated heavyweight boxing champion titled, Rocky Marciano: The 13th Candle.

Mike later authored and edited a book entitled, Remembering Arcadia, which tells the story of the immigrants from Arcadia who came to America in the early 1900s and settled in Youngstown area.

Mike leaves behind his beloved wife, Kanella (Stanos) whom he married on December 12, 1964, son, Atty. Nicholas M. (Dr. Maria Y.) Varveris of Columbus, Ohio, son Dr. Michael P. Varveris of Naples, Florida, daughter Frances I. (Dr. Andrew S.) Michas of Leesburg, Georgia, and grandchildren Ariana, Alexandra (Naples) Alexandria, Michael (Leesburg) Efrosini and Anastasia (Columbus).

As a proud twenty-eight year Rotarian, Mike was a member of both the Niles and Boardman Rotary. He continued his love for writing as a Rotarian where he wrote and edited the Boardman Rotary's 50th Anniversary Album in 2005. He served the Boardman
Rotary as Club Service Director in 2003 and 2004 and was the Career Day Chairman in 1996. The Niles Rotary presented him with the prestigious Paul Harris award in 1992.

Mike served as president of the Girard Chamber of Commerce, was charter member of the Hubbard Optimist Club, served on the Air Council Reserve in Vienna, was a charter member of the Eastern Orthodox Men's Society, and was a member of AHEPA, Lincoln Chapter 89.

Mike was an equally active and dedicated parishioner of Saint John's Greek Orthodox Church in Boardman where he served for over thirty years on the parish counsel and served five years as parish council president. He also served two years on the Diocesan Council. In 2005, during the 90th Anniversary of the founding of Saint John's Greek Orthodox Church, Mike was bestowed the top lay leader award of the Greek Orthodox Church, the Medal of St. Paul by Archbishop Demetrios for Mike's continued devoted work on behalf of Orthodoxy.

Preceding Michael In death were his parents and brothers John N. and Homer B.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. following calling hours at 10:30 a.m. at Saint John's Greek Orthodox Church in Youngstown, Ohio.

Contributions may be made to Saint John's Greek Orthodox Church Endowment Fund, 4955 Glenwood Avenue, Boardman, Ohio 44512 or to Albany Community Hospice 320 Foundation Lane, Albany, GA 31707.

Zoe Se Sas (May His Memory Be Eternal)