Obituary of John Gikas

John Gikas, 78, husband of Cynthia (Vounatsos) Gikas of Danvers and husband of the late Penny (Venetsanakos) Gikas, died Monday at the Beverly Hospital after a brief illness. Mr. Gikas was born on September 17, 1928, in Piraeus Greece son of the late George and Vasiliki (Konaxis)Gikas. He was raised and educated in Greece and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949 from the Polytechnic Institute of Athens. From 1950 to 1954, he served as a Chief Petty Officer in the Greek Royal Navy and while he was stationed States Side he met his first wife Penny Venetsanakos and was married in 1951. Following his tour of duty from the Navy in 1954, he immigrated to the United States and made his home in Danvers. In 1981 he moved to Nahant returning to Danvers in 1984. Mr. Gikas began his working career as a machinist. In 1968 he along with his 2 brothers Evangelos and Achilles and his childhood friend Steve Andreadakis founded the Aster Engineering Corporation in Middleton and served as President and General Manager. At a later time a subsidiary entity known as the Aris Engineering Corporation in Haverhill was started. The businesses were the largest independent CNC machine shop in New England and was in the forefront of machining jet engines and large turbine components. Although he’s been retired for several years, he will also be remembered as an industrialist, real estate builder, business entrepreneur, a benevolent and generous member of the community. His entire life revolved around his children and later his grandchildren and will be remembered for entertaining them at pool parties. He was well traveled, enjoyed boating, fishing and his especially his car collection. Mr. Gikas served on the Board of Directors of St. Vasilios Men’s Club and the Island of Lebos Society. He was one of the founding members of the Athens-Pireus Association. He also sponsored and helped many individuals immigrate to this Country and become members of the local Greek Community. In addition to his wife of Danvers, he is survived by his children and their spouses, Elizabeth M. and Jeffrey Schultz of Middleton, George J. and Cheryl Gikas of No. Andover, Nicholas J. and Christine Gikas of Danvers, James J. and Ellen Gikas of Boxford and Joanna J. Gikas of Danvers; a brother, Evangelos Gikas of Peabody; 8 grandchildren, Penny E. Gikas and John G. Gikas II of No. Andover, Penny N. Gikas, John T. Gikas and Chrissy E. Gikas of Danvers, Kathryn P. Gikas, Alexander J. Gikas and James S. Gikas of Boxford; 2 step children, Michael Vayeos of Danvers and Vanessa Bornstein of Boynton Beach FL; 33 nieces and nephews and several godchildren. His siblings Maria Karlis and Achilles Gikas predeceased him. His funeral will be held Friday at 9 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St. (new location) Peabody followed by a service at 10 a.m. in St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, 5 Paleologos St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Thursday 4 to 8 p.m. Burial in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the North Shore Cancer Center, 17 Centennial Dr., Peabody MA 01960.