Athanassios D. Sakellariou (Saki), age 91, passed away peacefully in his sleep March 31, 2021 from natural causes. Our devoted Father was born in Athens, Greece, on June 24, 1929, to Demetrios and Eleni Sakellariou. He served two years in the Greek Navy. While attending his second year of law school, he met and married Janette Siouris, who brought him back to America to create their lives together. After enrolling in English speaking classes at the University of Utah, Dad was employed by Souvall Brothers and retired after a 35-year career at the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT).
Dad made many lifelong friends and immersed himself in the Salt Lake City Greek Community. He served as a Parish Council board member, assisted yearly at the Greek Festival, and shared his beautiful voice, which will never be forgotten, as a chanter at Holy Trinity and Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox churches for over 60 years. Saki enjoyed retirement, participating in his grandchildren’s lives and meeting his closest friends for daily coffee banter at many local establishments.
He is survived by his four children, Jim (Lynette), Chris (Aspasia), Melinda (Joseph) and Jonathan (Kallia), as well as ten grandchildren; Stephanie (Kenny), Angela, Karissa, Yanni, Alexis, Kathryn, Dimitri, Ted, Michael and Sophia, along with two great-grandchildren, Athanasios and Zacharias. Also survived by two beloved nieces in Greece, Elli and Yanna. Preceded in death by his parents, wife Janette and sister Loukia.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 279 South 300 West, Salt Lake City, Utah. Family and friends may attend a viewing Sunday evening, April 4, 2021 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral from 6-8 p.m. (Trisagion prayer service at 7:00 p.m.). Interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery will be held following the funeral. The family respectfully asks that all Covid protocols be observed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Holy Trinity/Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church.
The family wishes to thank all the staff at The Wellington Senior Living Center and Brio Hospice, specifically Providence and Christian, for all their love and compassionate care.
