Obituary of Terry N. Jonethis

Terry N. Jonethis, 95, of Brentwood, TN formerly of Lakewood, NY passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Tuesday (October 11, 2011) in his home. He was born March 26, 1916 in Mboria, Albania a son of the late Rev. George S. and Glykiria Sturgi Joanethis. He immigrated to America with his father, Fr. George, coming to Ellis Island, New York Harbor on New Year's Eve, 1926. His mother, sister and brother eventually joined them in 1932. Terry was a 1935 graduate of Jamestown High School where he wrote the music for the class song, was on the yearbook art staff, a member the Honor Society, Debate Team, the Hi-Y Club, the A'Cappella Choir and the Concert Band. At the encouragement of his teacher he won a scholarship to the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY where he studied art and graphic design. While at Pratt, he won the Dartmouth Winter Carnival Poster Contest and was also chosen to use his artistic talent creating various exhibit graphics at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Upon graduation from Pratt Institute in 1939 Terry accepted a position with the nationally recognized Norman Bel Geddes Design firm in New York City where he worked until entering the U.S. Army in 1941. Initally stationed at Fort Niagara, NY, he entered and won two national war related poster contests, created and produced a giant mural for the PX and was a trumpeter in the Fort Niagara Army Band. Jonethis was a veteran of World War II having served from 1941 to 1946 with the 273rd Infantry, 69th Fighting Division, receiving several citations including the Bronze Star Medal. Terry's entire professional career revolved around art, design and photography. He was President of Jonethis/Larson Advertising, the firm he co-founded in 1952 and kept the position until his retirement in 1981 Terry was a lifelong supporter of several civic organizations in the Jamestown area. He was active with the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce, Mt. Moriah Lodge #145 F&AM, Jamestown Consistory, Jamestown Shrine Club, Lakewood American Legion Post #1286 American Legion and the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He served as President of the Jamestown Kiwanis Club and was the recipient of its Distinguished President Award. He served as Lieutenant Governor of the Southwestern Division of Kiwanis International. For his work with Kiwanis youth, Terry was commissioned an honorary Kentucky colonel by the Governor of Kentucky. He was also the first high school advisor of the Kiwanis Key Club. He recently donated a highly valued collection of World War II posters to the Robert H. Jackson Center. A lifelong active member of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, he worked tirelessly his entire life for the Greek Orthodox community. Beginning as an altar boy for his father when he first arrived in Jamestown, he went on to organize the very first church choir. He served as Parish Council President, headed the new building committee, and was instrumental in kicking off the church sponsored Balkan Dances and the popular Yahsoo Festival. He was the church choir director for over 30 years and was active in regional and national Orthodox choir activities, attending choir conventions and workshops. He sang in the St. Catherine's Choir in West Palm Beach for the 20 years that he wintered in Florida. In 2001, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North America and South America awarded him the Distinguished Athenagoras Medal, the highest honor available to Orthodox Church musicians. It was one of his proudest moments. The City of Jamestown also recognized him with the "Terry N. Jonethis Day" shortly after to commemorate this award. Terry will be remembered for his love of tennis and his infamous energy saver serve. He was also an artist, musician, athlete, true gentleman, joke teller and incorrigible optimist who gave his family and friends so much to emulate. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, the former Athena "Nulie" Janaq whom he married June 16, 1946, three sons David G. (Andrea) Jonethis of Franklin, TN, John J. Jonethis of Nashville, TN, Terry C. Jonethis of West Palm Beach, FL, a daughter Barbara (Michael) Hudson, OH, six grandchildren and several well loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents,two sisters Sophika Shkodrani, Evangeline Sarro and a brother Paul "PJ" Joanethis. The funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday in St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. The Rev. George S. Zervos, pastor will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 4-7 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home where a Trisagion Prayer Service will be led at 7:00 p.m. Friday. The family suggests that memorials be made to the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 264, Jamestown, NY 14702-0264.