John Gaitanoglou

Mr. Ioannis “John” Gaitanoglou, age 82, of Blue Ridge, passed away Tuesday, January 11, 2022, in Canton, Georgia.

He was born in Greece to the late Sarantos and Evanthia Gaitanoglou. Mr. Gaitanoglou owned and operated the Fannin Inn Restaurant for 32 years. John will be remembered by so many from his years at the Fannin Inn, cooking their steak, frying their chicken and particularly banging on the pole with a knife to let everyone know someone’s food was ready!

It wasn’t uncommon to see him visiting with friends and customers in the dining room when time permitted. John dearly loved his children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending all of their sporting events. John loved the outdoors, he particularly took a deep interest in deer hunting after coming to the United States and loved to hunt the mountains of North Georgia! He also loved deep sea fishing.

John enjoyed company and had a large extended family, particularly from his decades at the Fannin Inn. Many friendships and additional “kids” were garnered from those years! May his boisterous personality be remembered by us all!

Survivors include his loving wife, Jane Gaitanoglou of the home; children and their spouses, Sarandy and Leslie Gaitanoglou of Ellijay, Georgia, and Sophia and Chris Dearwent of Dawsonville, Georgia; grandchildren, Gracie Gaitanoglou, Noah Gaitanoglou, Noland Dearwent, Luke Gaitanoglou and Isaac Dearwent; brother and sister-in-law, Takis and Jenny Gaitanoglou of Blue Ridge; godchildren, Joanna Darakos, Bobby Barton and Despina McLaughlin; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 3 p.m. from the Akins Funeral Home Chapel in Blue Ridge with Father Stavros Ballas officiating. Music was provided by Leslie Gaitanoglou, Raven Welch Harris, Aaron Sellers and Joe Hensley.

Interment followed in the Copper Ridge Memory Gardens with the following gentlemen serving as pallbearers: Pete Gaitanoglou, Chris Gaitanoglou, Pete Bouloukos, Billy Bouloukos, Allen Travelstead and Jamie Travelstead.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com.

Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge was in charge of the arrangements.