John Paul Telakis, age 84, of Bonney Lake WA, formerly of Pittsburgh PA, passed away peacefully at home during the night of January 20, 2026. Born April 24 1941, in Pittsburgh to Greek immigrant parents from the island of Crete, Greece, he was 3rd out of 4 siblings. 

He was the son of the late Paul Telakis and Helen Pehenakis Telakis, the brother of the late Mary (Bill) Cominos, Dee (George) Chronis, and Manuel (Sue) Telakis. He was loving husband of 59 years to Mary Clarke Telakis, father to daughter Marina (Allen) Hradil, and grandfather of Evelyn and Micah Hradil.

John was raised in Greek Orthodox culture and tradition. He was bilingual and attended Greek school as a child. He graduated from Peabody High School in 1959, before continuing his education with a bachelor’s degree from Waynesburg College in 1964 and a masters degree of education with a specialist EdS in school psychology from University of Pittsburgh in 1966. His early career included being a high school psychologist in Maryland (Prince Georges County school district) and in Pittsburgh (Bethel Park school district).

John was a man of faith, and one of his most treasured vacation trips was a tour of the Holy Land with his brother in law Ed Clarke in the 80’s, where they visited the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. He was the only one in his American tour group able to converse in the Greek language with the Greek Orthodox priests who were there at the church site. 

John was a kind and caring father, husband, grandfather, brother, family member and friend to all who knew him. His most well known passion was gardening. Every year he would grow many different flowers such as zinnias from seed and share them for others to enjoy. His passion for growing roses began when he visited his brother in law’s (George Chronis’s) father’s rose garden as a young man. Along with wife Mary he tended to his own beautiful rose garden and they were both members of the Puyallup Rose Society. They even entered roses in the Washington state fair, bringing home a best in show ribbon one year. 

John will be greatly missed, and he leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife Mary Telakis, daughter Marina (Allen) Hradil, grandchildren Evelyn and Micah Hradil, sister Dee (George) Chronis, brother in law Ed (Betty) Clarke, many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Friends received Friday, February 13, 2026, 1pm til time of service at 1:30pm, at the Homewood Cemetery Chapel, 1599 South Dallas Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.