Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

May 29, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Dimitrios Vasilios Katsanos, 90, husband, father, grandfather and great- grandfather went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, surrounded by his closest loved ones.   Dimitrios better known as Jimmy, Mitso and most often Pappou was born on March 3, 1934, in Agia Vlaherna, Evrytannia- Greece to Vasilios Katsanos and Fotini Groumbas Katsanos.  

In 1955, Jimmy moved to Sydney, Australia and soon later settled in Adelaide as an immigrant embarking on new opportunities.   There, he was re-connected with a childhood acquaintance, also from Agia Vlaherna, which soon became his lifelong companion, best friend and love of his life.   He married Ekaterini “Kathy” Doulaveris Katsanos on January 2, 1960. There they enjoyed their new life together and were accompanied by a handful of siblings who also migrated with them from Greece.  They were soon blessed with three children, Billy, Tina and Mary.  

Jimmy first worked on the railroads in the Outback, a manager later at a brewery in Sydney, and in Adelaide as a foreman in an automobile parts factory while Kathy was a homemaker raising their children.  In 1970, they made a big decision to move to another country once again to be reunited with more family members.  Jimmy and his family moved to Charlotte, NC which would be his home for the remainder of his life.  

Jimmy was someone described by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him as a kind, sweet, loyal man who was strong yet very gentle.   He was a man of faith; he was compassionate in all aspects of his life and respected everyone he met.   He was the patriarch of his family and his unconditional love for them never went unnoticed.  Although he could be soft spoken at times, Jimmy was witty and a true jokester.  Lastly, Jimmy was the definition of a gentleman.  He exuded admiration and respect for his wife for 64 years of marriage.  They were inseparable.  They enjoyed home life, cooking, gardening, entertaining, and drinking their “kafe” yet also worked together in their businesses side by side for over 20 years.  

He had a passion and talent in the kitchen which reflected his professional life as he owned several restaurants in Charlotte and the surrounding areas. He was a partner of the well-known Fish Fare Restaurant (Westinghouse Blvd., Matthews, Lancaster) and owned Matthews Country Kitchen.  Over the years, Jimmy had a following of loyal customers and employees who all called him “Mr. Jimmy.”  Jimmy was able to enjoy his retirement for many years by traveling back to Greece and spending quality time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. 

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Ekaterini Katsanos; his son, Vasilios Katsanos and his wife, Susan; daughters, Fotini Kaltsounis and her husband, Spiro and Mary Liapis and her husband, George; grandchildren, Christian Katsanos, Jimmy and Cathy Bisbikis, Angelo and Maria Kaltsounis, DeeDee Kaltsounis, and Katie and Tommy Karadimas and great-grandchildren, Lexi and Paul Bisbikis and Mary Karadimas.  He is also survived by his siblings, Christodoulos Katsanos, Maria Politis, Gus Kanos and his wife, Chris, and George Katsanos and his wife, Christina.  Jimmy was preceeded in death by his sister, Fotini Katsanos and husband Spero; his brother, Peter Katsanos and wife, Athanasia; his sister, Vasiliki Doulaveris and her husband, Apostoli and brother-in-law, Nick Politis. 

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Christian Katsanos, Angelo Kaltsounis, Jimmy Bisbikis, Tommy Karadimas, Paul Bisbikis, and nephew, Chris Katsanos. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Jimmy to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203, or Panagia Prousiotissa Chapel at Elatos Park, PO Box 77114, Charlotte, NC 28271, or the American Cancer Society. 

May his memory be eternal.  

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.