Takis Gaitanoglou

Mr. Ignatios “Takis” Gaitanoglou, 88, of Blue Ridge, Georgia, passed away Sunday, July 10, 2022, at Pruitt Health in Blue Ridge.

Takis was born June 17, 1934, in Molyvos, Lesvos, Greece to the late Sarantos and Evanthia Gaitanoglou.

As a child, Takis lived in Athens, Greece, during the Nazi Occupation.  He immigrated to the United States in 1961 and met his wife Jenny Xiriches Gaitanoglou. They married in Copperhill, where he helped his father-in-law operate the New York Cafe and Snack Bar. With the help of many local investors, he built and operated the Fannin Inn Motel and Restaurant in Blue Ridge, with his late brother, John Gaitanoglou, for 32 years.

Takis loved Blue Ridge and he was a pillar in the community. He helped to launch the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and the first youth soccer program in the region, even acting as one of its first referees.

Survivors include his wife Jenny Gaitanoglou; children and their spouses, Eva Arp of Blue Ridge, Peter and Molly Gaitanoglou of Blue Ridge, and Joanna and George Darakos of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Christina Arp, Christopher Gaitanoglou, Ignatios Darakos and Zoe Darakos; sister-in-law, Jane Gaitanoglou of Blue Ridge; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dino and Maria Bouloukos of McCaysville. He is also survived by nephews Vassilli and Peter Bouloukos, Sarandy Gaitanoglou and Sophia Dearwent.

His favorite pastimes included fishing and photography.  He also loved watching soccer, hockey and the Olympic Games.

Visitation was held  from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m at Henry-Cochran Funeral Home on July 12, 2022.  Funeral services began at 3 p.m. with Father Stavros Balas officiating.

The following gentlemen served as pallbearers: Vassilli Bouloukos, Peter Bouloukos, George Darakos, Christopher Dearwent, Christopher Gaitanoglou, and Sarandy Gaitanoglou.

Honorary pallbearers included Bill Prather, John Cochran, Paul Cochran, Ed Howard, and Norma Kaye.

Cochran Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Ignatios S. Gaitanoglou.

You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.