ALFRED - John E. Ninos, 91, of 34 Hillcrest Dr., Alfred, NY,
died unexpectedly early Monday morning, February 18, 2019, at St. James Mercy
Hospital in Hornell NY.
John was born in the Village of Plaka, on the Island of
Milos, Greece, on January 28, 1928. He was the son of Emanuel & Katherine
Ninos.
John grew up in Greece and attended Plaka Public
School. In 1947 at the age of 19, he
along with his mother, moved to the United States to join his father and
brother who had previously moved to America.
Although John had intended to continue his education, he
began working with his father and brother Bill at their restaurant, “The
Washington Restaurant,” in Bolivar, NY. In 1949 John married Angela Italiano.
Later that year the entire family moved to Alfred, NY where John, along with
his father and brother purchased the University Diner, aka “The Dog Cart.” In
1950 they purchased the Collegiate Restaurant.
As a family, they operated both restaurants until the University Diner
was destroyed by fire in 1953. John and Angie took full ownership of the
Collegiate Restaurant operating until their “retirement” in 1996, when they sold
the business to their son, John. He continued to stay active and lend a helping
hand for many years.
John had a deep love of the Alfred community. One of his
greatest pleasures was meeting and befriending the many people who came through
Alfred. His smile and greetings at the Collegiate and throughout the community
touched the lives of many.
He served two terms as president of the Alfred Lions
Club. He was a member of the F&AM
(Masons Lodge) #944 and served four terms as president of the Alfred Business
Association. Both John and Angie received their Honorary Doctorate degrees from
Alfred University on December 12, 1993. Their contributions to Alfred
University were recognized by the Alumni Association in 1986 when they were
named Honorary Alumni.
In his younger years, John enjoyed playing Tennis,
Ping-Pong, & Racquetball with his friends. Throughout the years he also
enjoyed fishing, woodworking & gardening. He enjoyed spending quality time
with his family at his lake house on Grass Lake, in the Indian River Lakes
region. John served as an officer on the
Grass Lake Association.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Demetrius “James”
Ninos, and William “Bill” Ninos.
John is survived by his wife of 69 years, the former Angela
“Angie” Italiano. His proudest
achievements are his four children, James (Karrie) Ninos of Alfred, Michael
(Melissa) Ninos, of Murphys, CA, John (Chelly) Ninos, of Alfred, and Nikolas
(Kera) Ninos, of Buffalo, NY and eight grandchildren; Jill (Bryan) Crandall,
Johnny (Ashleigh) Ninos, Kolby (Kristen) Ninos, Trevor Ninos, Jody (Chuck) soon
to be Skipper, Austin Williford, Ari Ninos, and Niko Ninos. Also, five great-grandchildren and several
nieces & nephews.
The family of John E. Ninos will receive friends on Monday
from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 1:00 PM at
St. Jude Parish Church, Lower College Drive, (SUNY Alfred Campus), Alfred, NY.
John’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions in his name may be made to the Alfred Lions Club, PO 1191, Alfred, NY 14802 Memorial forms will be available
at the Dagon Funeral Home.
