John Alex Compos

John Alex Compos was born in Wilmington, NC on November 25,1940 to Alex and Polly Compos. Growing up, he spent most days working in his father’s restaurant, The City Market Cafe, where he talked with the locals who became lifelong friends. He loved listening to the Lone Ranger radio shows. Throughout his life, he stayed dedicated to his hometown of Wilmington. He was an active alumnus of each of his alma maters New Hanover High School, UNC-Wilmington and NC State University.  John worked as a computer programmer at IBM for 27 years. He was a dedicated member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Raleigh, NC, and served on the Parish Council for many years. He was nominated by his neighbors in his cul-de-sac to be the “Mayor of Dundee.” He enjoyed running his pizza booth at the NC State Fair, especially seeing all his friends who stopped by each year. For over thirty-five years, he attended Bible Study Fellowship. He served St. John the Merciful Outreach Ministry  with dedication and passion, never letting his physical limitations get in his way. John and his wife Pauline were blessed with three daughters. He raised his daughters to be ladies, strong and independent, who could also do yard work and change a tire. He devoted his later years to his five grandchildren. John truly found his greatest role in life as their “Papou” (grandfather). Their interests became his passions. John attended their dance recitals, basketball games and band concerts. Every event included a heartfelt conversation where he gave the kids a recap of that event, and a little worldly advice. John was always happiest at the beach, and his favorite time each year was the family beach week, which he organized. John is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Pauline Bambalis Compos; his three devoted daughters and son-in-laws, Polly and Stephen Anton of Greensboro, NC; Margaret and Dennis Dixon of Charlotte, NC; Aliki and Jonathan Cooper of Newport, RI; and the greatest joys of life, his five grandchildren: T.J. Dixon, Alex Anton, Demitri Dixon, Eleni Cooper and Pauline Cooper.  He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Marmaras and Helen Paliouras (Jim); and four sister-in-laws, Dena Paliouras (John), Nickie Agnos (John), Helen Bambalis, Emily Dermatas (Spyros), and many beloved nieces and nephews who he treated as his own. Visitation will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 5000 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh, NC on Wednesday, April 18 for 6:00-8:00pm and Trisagion will be at 7 pm.  Funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Thursday, April 19 at 11:00am. Interment will be held at Raleigh Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 5000 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh, NC  27612, St. John the Merciful Outreach Ministry, 5309 Round Hill Lane, Raleigh, NC 27616 or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, www.jdrf.org