John Koutsantanou

Koutsantanou, John of Dix Hills, NY on February 17, 2021 at Age 86. He was born in Lefkera, Cyprus to Louisa and Michael Koutsantanou on June 17th, 1934. He and his family moved to London in 1937.
John was 14 when the immigrated to New York in 1948. He attended Bryant High School in Queens and then CCNY. He excelled in Business Administration and the game of soccer. Despite the loss of his left eye at the age of 9, he was not deterred from participating in sports. At CCNY during his tenure on the soccer team, John received the MVP award and was selected for the U.S. All American Soccer Team in 1955.
In 1957 he married Georgia Zaferion. They lived in Dix Hills from 1966 to present. In 1971 he was elected to the Half Hollow Hills School Board where he served for 25 years. John served on the board longer than any other trustee. He was Vice President for several years and President for 10.
His experience as a CPA and CFO of several major companies and eventually his own ad agency enabled him to use his financial expertise to oversee a solid economic foundation for the district. His crowning achievement may be his commitment to initiating and expanding Special Education services to support children with special needs. He coached soccer for the Huntington Boys Club from 1971-1987. He also coached his 2 teenaged sons and 5-year-old son. Sometimes he coached the club and his sons all at the same time. His 13-year-old travel team made history winning the N.Y. state championship in 1984. While his team won many championships, he was proudest of the Good Sportsmanship Award, which they won consistently.
John joined the Indian Hills Country Club of Northport, Long Island and loved playing golf with his wife, sons, and good friends for the rest of his life.
He is survived by his loving wife Georgia for 63 years, his sons John (Elizabeth), Mark (Mila), and Jeff (Adrienne). Nine grandchildren, Mark, Victoria, Joelle, Jefferson, Isabella, Claudia, Michael (Maggie), Alexa Sanchez (Henry), Alaina Steen (Jonathon), and one great granddaughter, Veronica (daughter of Alexa and Henry), three sisters, Joana Galanos, Adriana Chord, and Chris McGuire.
Reposing at Mangano Funeral Home Inc. ,1701 Deer Park Avenue, Deer Park, NY 11729
Sunday February 21st 2-4PM & 6-8PM
Funeral service on Monday at 11AM at ST. Paraskevi G.O. Church, Greenlawn
Interment to follow at Melville Cemetery, www.manganofh.com
In lieu of flowers please send donations to - St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
501 St. Jude’s Place
Memphis, Tennessee 38105