Obituary of John Odeseus Constantine

John Odeseus Constantine, 85, of Congress Avenue, Star City, passed away early Wednesday morning, July 17th, 2013, at his home. He was born September 1st 1927 on the island of Samos, Greece and immigrated to this country with his family as a child. His family settled in the Morgantown area. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served his new country in World War II. After his service in the Navy, he also spent time in the United States Coast Guard and The US Merchant Marines. Upon returning to Morgantown he attended West Virginia University. After graduation he was employed for a time at the United States Bureau of Mines, now the Department of Energy, on Collins Ferry Road. He left the Bureau of Mines to start several successful businesses with his wife Sandy, including the Sandra Lee Motel on Mon Boulevard, Constantine Rentals, and Constantine Excavating. In December 1985 he suffered a massive stroke which left him in a wheel chair and with limited speech for the remainder of his life. He did not allow this condition to slow him down and continued to work and dig in his yard until the day he passed. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 plus years, Sandra Lee Constantine. Together they were partners that built many things together including a life and family. Additionally, he was preceded in death by one brother, George Constantine. He is survived by his daughter Julie Ann Constantine, his son Michael John Constantine, his daughter in law Lori Ann Constantine all of Morgantown. He is also survived by three grandchildren; Joshua, Alexandra, and Katherine Constantine who will all miss their PaPou very much; and three siblings, Jim Constantine of Annapolis, MD, Bill Constantine of Las Vegas, NV and Evangeline Constantine of Athens, Greece.. Family and friends will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, on Friday, July 19th from 5-8 PM. A Trisagion Service will be held in the funeral home Friday at 7:30 PM to conclude the visitation. Visitation will continue at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 447 Spruce St., Morgantown on Saturday, July 20th from 10 AM until the time of the funeral service at 11 AM with Father David Shaw officiating. Interment will follow beside his beloved wife, Sandra, at East Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 447 Spruce St, Morgantown, WV 26505 where John was a lifelong member.