WILLIAMSBURG — Dr. John Savvas Kaminarides, 91, of Williamsburg, Virginia passed away on November 8, 2024. He was born on April 7, 1933 in Nicosia, Cyprus to Savvas and Domna Kaminarides. Ero Kaminarides, who predeceased John in 2011, was his beloved wife of 48 years. John and Ero began their lives together in America in 1964 after a transatlantic crossing aboard the USS United States and they both later became proud Naturalized American Citizens in the 1970s.
John first came to the US in 1958 on a Fulbright scholarship. He received his BA in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and his MA and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Houston. He was the Emeritus Professor of Economics and International Business at Arkansas State University, where John taught for 33 years from 1968 – 2001 and served as Director of the Office of Business Research and Coordinator of International Business Studies Program. He completed his last professional employment at age 90, where he served as Vice-Rector of Research and Innovation and Professor of Economics, International Business and Finance at Phillips University, Nicosia, Cyprus. In his long career, John was a visiting Fulbright lecturer in different countries including Malta, Cyprus, Spain, Greece, Germany, Pakistan, and England. In addition, he was the coordinator and organizer of several Economic Outlook and International Business Conferences in the United States and overseas.
Dr. Kaminarides was an avid researcher and prolific author who published his third book in 2023. Entitled The Economy of Cyprus Under British Rule, this 454-page book was a labor of love and the culmination of a decades-long research effort that allows him to continue to share his passion for his beautiful native country of Cyprus, even though he is no longer with us. John also published more than one hundred articles in national and international journals, completed ninety funded professional and academic research projects, and contributed to three other books. He was also a member of many academic and professional associations, served as President to four economic associations in the United States and worked as Editor-In-Chief of two economic journals.
John was an outgoing, energetic extrovert with a welcoming smile who loved to be among people and always made friends easily. By nature, he was an explorer who craved new experiences, drew energy from a crowd, and liked to be in the middle of the action. John and Ero were well-traveled and experienced the world together across much of the USA and most of Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America, northern Africa, and China. At age 83, he explored the ruins of Machu Picchu and often traveled aboard the private team airplane with the Apoel Football Club (his favorite Cyprus soccer team) to international soccer matches into his late 80’s. He continued to travel back and forth between his homes in Williamsburg, Virginia and Nicosia, Cyprus several times each year until 2023.
John loved sharing his Greek-Cypriot and American cultures and consistently practiced his faith at the many Greek Orthodox churches he belonged to throughout the years in Cyprus, Williamsburg, Newport News, Hopewell and Memphis. John lived by the values he held dearest—hard work, education, integrity, patriotism, and helping and mentoring those in need. While a professor in Arkansas, John and his wife Ero hosted many students from Cyprus, Greece and other countries while they earned their college degrees. Above all else, he had a love of family; he retired with his wife Ero to Williamsburg in 2000 to live closer to their grandsons.
Dr. Kaminarides is survived by his sister Elenitsa Karavia of Nicosia, Cyprus, his son Savvas Kaminarides of New York City, his daughter Elli Kaminarides Williams of Williamsburg, and was blessed with three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Elli and her husband Brent Williams gave him Alexander (Natalie), Nicholas, and Christopher (Demetra). Alexander and Natalie gave him his great-granddaughter Sophia Ero. Christopher and Demetra gave him his great-grandson Silas Phanourios. He is predeceased by his older brother George of Nicosia, Cyprus. John also leaves behind many friends who will cherish his memory and carry forward his legacy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church at 4900 Mooretown Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188.
