HAVERHILL – Ioannis “Yanni” Kakouris, 84, known to so many as Papou and Mr. K. of Korinthos, Greece and longtime Haverhill resident, passed away on Monday, August 1, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.

Yanni was born in Greece on June 22, 1938 and was the son of the late Nikolaos and Anastasia Kakouris.

Yanni is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years Marigoula Kakouris; and his two sons Nick Kakouris and his wife Suzanne of Atkinson, NH and their four sons Yanni, Niko, Alex and Dimitri Kakouris and Ilias Kakouris and his wife Joanne of West Newbury, MA and their four children Danielle Soteropoulos, Kayla Rose, Chiara Campanella and Yanni Kakouris. Other surviving family members include his two sisters Christina Douvis and her husband Spero of Canada and Panagiota Bretakou of Greece. His two brothers in-law Ignatios Tsagaris and his wife Thespena of Haverhill, MA and Dimitiri Tsagaris and his wife Niki of Greece. His three sisters in-law Artemis Karavetsos and her husband Costa of Haverhill, MA, Eugenia Tsagaris and her late husband Valsami Tsagaris of Greece and Georgia Sainopoulos and her late husband Taki of Greece. Yanni is predeceased by his brother Dimitrios Kakouris of Greece, mother in-law Labrothea Tsagaris of Haverhill, MA and sister in-law Dora Karapanagiotis and her husband Miltiadi of Greece.

Yanni was raised in Greece and proudly served in the Greek Navy. He brought his family to the United States in 1971 in search of the American Dream. He began his journey working as a welder for various companies. He then, along with his two sons opened Fremont Pizzeria and Restaurant in Fremont, NH in 1987, where Yanni “Mr. K” was the ultimate salad maker, and known for his homemade lasagna, spinach pie, funny stories and one liners. He taught his children by working hard you will succeed and accomplish all of your dreams. Mr. K was loved by all the employees and patrons and will be missed dearly by all.  

Yanni had a personality that was infectious and was liked by everyone who met him. He had a passion for Greek music, Greek dancing and Greek food, however, his greatest pride was his family and cherished grandchildren. Yanni “Mr. K” “Papou” will be forever missed, and always remembered.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, exceptional nurses and outstanding healthcare workers at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, for the care and comfort they provided Yanni with his brief illness.

Visitation will be Monday, August 8, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S. Main Street, Haverhill from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Services will begin Tuesday in the funeral home at 10:00 AM. Funeral Services will be held in Holy Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 154 Winter Street, Haverhill at 11:00 AM. Interment in Linwood Cemetery. For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com