By Emily J. MinorBRINY
BREEZES — John S. Sideris, a Briny Breezes resident since 2000 who had no
trouble trading his Long Island lifestyle for South Florida living, died April
26 with his family at his hospital bedside. He was 74.Mr.
Sideris had been in slightly failing health for some time, with the early onset
of Parkinson’s disease. But his wife, Gay, said he took a bad fall on March 22.
Within two weeks, he had developed major internal complications and never
recovered, she said.Mr.
Sideris died on the couple’s 52 wedding anniversary, but Gay Sideris said she
was able to call a family friend and priest to Mr. Sideris’ bedside in his
final hours so they could renew their wedding vows.“We
had a complete renewal of our vows,” she said. “My two grandchildren and my daughter stood in
for John and read his part. I was holding onto his hand.”A
native of Long Island, New York, Mr. Sideris commuted into the city to work at
an ad agency in the early years of his marriage. But the travel time to and
from work was unpleasant for him. He traded his New York City job for a
teaching career and spent many years in the public school system teaching
advertising.When
he retired at age 55, Mr. Sideris officially took up home improvement work and
became a licensed contractor. Always good with his hands, he was also a
talented designer. Gay Sideris said he built and designed their Long Island
home many years ago.After
he left the school district, the couple thought about moving to Florida to be
near their daughter and help with the grandchildren. They made the move 10
years ago, after staying for a summer in a friend’s mobile home. Gay Sideris
said they were hooked and that her husband loved Briny, with its friendly
neighbors, golf-cart transportation system and proximity to the water.Mr.
Sideris loved to fish and the couple docked their 30-foot sport-fisherman on
the dock outside their mobile home. Mr. Sideris was also a common sight as he
drove the family golf cart through Briny with the couple’s rescue dog, Katie,
as his companion. Katie died of cancer about eight months ago, said Gay
Sideris.Besides
his wife, Mr. Sideris is survived by three daughters: Susan Russell of Boynton
Beach; Stacy Sideris of Long Island; and Jeanne DiGiacomo of West Hartford,
Conn. A sister and two nieces also survive him, along with his five adoring
grandchildren. The couple had been active in St.
Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Boynton Beach. A memorial celebrating the life of
John Sideris was held May 22 at the church.
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