John A. Bezaitis

John A Bezaitis, born March 8, 1928 in Peritheotisa, Greece, died peacefully on Tuesday February 15, 2022 in his home surrounded by his family. He was dedicated to our mother. They were married for what would have been 58 years this June 7th. Since his retirement in 1994, our parents traveled the world together and with their dearest friends. In his early years in Chicago, our father bartended, bussed and waited tables. He loved the city of Chicago, with a special appreciation for The Chicago Theatre, and Nat King Cole. In his professional life he rose to leadership positions with “the district” where he started his career as an entry level engineer. He was a lover of history and poetry, and was an autodidact unafraid to ask questions. He had no fancy degrees and the extraordinary opportunities he found in his life emerged through a classic combination of persistence, hard work, and good luck. He was empathetic, attuned to the underdog. He disliked politicians. He raised his kids with Greek and American platitudes. In our heads, we will forever hear echos of “meden agan,” and “there is no free lunch!” Our father was not a "people person,” but he adored his closest friends and family members. His most poignant stories were of Easter celebrations, golf outings, open-ended discussions, ouzo and excellent meals with the few people he opened up to. His identity was anchored in his status as a Greek, a source of clarity and strength. For him, everything could be explained by the Ancient Greeks, their theater, philosophy and science. He never stopped being an immigrant, an identity of which he was proud. John A Bezaitis is survived by his wife, Despina, his children Andy and Maria, his son-in-law Jason Richard Nims, his grandchildren Katherine Ann, Megan James, Theodore Andreas, John Andrew, and Lucas Richard, and his massive extended family in Greece. He was the last living Bezaitis sibling to Margarita, Georgos, Eleni, and Stavroula, all deceased descendants of Andreas and Maria Bezaitis (Peritheotisa, Greece). Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 18, 2022 at 4PM at Matz Funeral Home, 410 E. Rand Road, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056. Visitation will be from 3PM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to https://preserve.nature.org. Arrangements by Demeros Funeral and Cremation Services. For information, please call 847-302-7176