Andrew Konakis

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PRICE-Andrew Konakis reunited with his loving wife Maurine in the early hours of Dec. 21, 2010 after valiantly fighting a long illness with true grit.
He was born Aug. 31, 1927 in Sunnyside, Utah to Gust and Stella Vesulas Konakis and was among the youngest of 17 children.
Andrew and Maurine B. Escandon were childhood sweethearts and married July 21, 1951 in Price. Andrew was very proud of his four sons and taught them the value of hard work. When Andrew was not working he was hunting and fishing with his boys. Family time was very important to him. Andrew was a retired member of the United Mine Workers of America, U.S. Fuel Hiawatha Local #6363 where he retired on Sept. 1, 1989.
Andrew loved the outdoors and he was fishing right up until the fall of 2010. He was a wonderful grandfather and would come to Price from Hiawatha at anytime to dance and sing with the kids. He could quiet them down or wind them up. Andrew took great pride in teaching his girls the art of making Greek stew, cookies and Easter bread. During the later years Sundays became very special as he spent them with Tom. The little refrigerator had to be stocked with Tom’s favorite treats, so the “little man could slaughter it.” To Andrew if you were full you were happy. We love and miss you Mo-ray.
Andrew is survived by his sons, Andrew John, Helper, Angelo (Pam), Nick (Lenae), Price and Thomas, Wellington; grandchildren, Tyra Konakis, Helper, Angela (Skip) Rice Tremonton, Nicole (Travis) Manus, Rock Springs, Wyo., Zak and fiancee (Liz), Logan. Natalie (Devin) Bigelo, Mathew, Tyler, Dustin, Bodee (Candice) Huntington and Jacob; great-grandchildren, Dallen and Kailyn Rice; brothers and sisters, Mary Rizzuto, Connie Poglajen, Lynn Konakis, Athena Swasey, Angie Lawerence, Marian (Steve) Kogianes and Stanley Konakis. Rick, John (Francis) Escandon and Carlos Escandon, Bertha Garcia, Lena (Steve) Martinez, Lavonia (Raul), Beatrice and Louise; many nieces and nephews some Andrew and Maurine raised.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandchildren, Patrick and Tiffany Konakis; brothers and sisters: Johnny, Angelo Konakis, Anthemia Bertlesen, Steve Konakis, Annie Vomas, Harriett Marakis, Helen Mulkey and Nicholas Konakis. Eva Gonzales, Lydia Palacios, Mike Garcia; mother and father-in-law Carmen and John Escandon; and his nieces and nephews.
Thank you to our wonderful community of healthcare providers that cared for Andrew over the years.
Funeral Mass, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010, 10 a.m., Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church. Vigil service, Wednesday evening 7 p.m., Mitchell Funeral Home. Family was at Mitchell’s Wednesday and Thursday one hour prior to services. Committal service, Cliffview Cemetery, Price. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are welcome daily and may share memories of Andrew online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.