Emanuel J. Cominos 1930-2024

Manny was born Nov. 2, 1930, in Warren, son of Mary Kondoleon Cominos and James Cominos and baby brother of Helen (Anthony) Mamonis and Frances (George) Panagopoulos.

He was a 1948 graduate of South High School. Soon after graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served in the Korean War on the Destroyer USS Gherardi and received the National Defense Service Medal, Navy Occupation Services Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged after four years of service.

He worked for the Schwebel’s Baking Company for 36 years as a bread salesman until his retirement in 1991. While in his retirement and when he did his weekly shopping, he would get upset when the Schwebel’s bread shelves were not fully stocked, so he continued to stock the shelves whenever needed while creating friendships along the way.

He married GeraldAnne “Gerri” Chance in Panama City before returning to Youngstown to create their new life. They were married 70 years and were blessed with two daughters, Karen Cominos of Montreal, Quebec and Faith (Gary) O’Nesti of Boardman. They have six grandchildren, Jesi (Donnie) Nameth, Anthony O’Nesti, Matthew O’Nesti, Juliana (Todd) Williams, Giovanni Ginocchi and Jillian (Jimmy Sklavounos, fiance) Ginocchi; and two great-grandchildren, Eliana Williams and Lincoln Nameth.

Along with his immediate family, he will be missed by his nieces, nephews, and a lifetime of friends who always walked away feeling like he knew you forever with his warm and generous smile.

He was a proud member of the Masons, where he was a Master Mason of St. Alban’s Lodge in 1974 and Grand Master of the 32nd Degree in 1999. He received the Ace Federovich Award and was a member of the Scottish Rite makeup committee. He also earned his Red Cap from the Argus Lodge and received his 50-year pin.

He was a constable for the Canfield Fair for over 32 years.

He was a very devout believer of the Greek Orthodox faith and was an active member. He loved helping in the kitchens during the Glendi’s and the Lenten fish fries at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox, Youngstown; St. John’s the Forerunner, Boardman; and St. Demetrius Greek Orthodox in Warren. Whenever you needed help, he would be there to lend a hand. He was known to some as the “Energizer Bunny,” always helping anyone who needed it.

He received the Saint Photios award presented by The Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh in May 2019. Saint Photios was a Patriarch of Constantinople, defender of the Christian faith.

He served as a committee member for the restoration of Stambaugh Auditorium.

In his spare time, he enjoyed going to auctions, snow plowing for neighbors and friends and puttering around on his property.

Family and friends may pay their respects 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church; a funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m.

Manny will be laid to rest in Green Haven Memorial Gardens in Canfield.

The family extends their deepest thanks and gratitude to the wonderful staff at The Inn at Poland Way Memory Care, and the staff at Patriot Hospice, for their dedication and compassion in caring for Papou, as he was known to many of them.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations of your choice to the Scleroderma Foundation, The Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Research Foundation or the Wounded Warrior Project.

You may view this obituary and send condolences online at vaschakkirilafh.com.

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