It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John Peter Alexis, Esquire on Saturday October 26, 2024 He was with his wife, Carol and brother-in-law Roger Matejka and sister-in-law Rita Matejka.

Born in Carlisle, PA on October 1,1942, to parents, Peter John and Kalliope (Panagotacos) Alexis. John was the first grandson in a proud family of Greeks that immigrated to America from villages outside Sparta. Before college, John spent almost his entire life in Pennsylvania. After college, Minnesota became his home.

John had been residing at the Minnesota Vets Home in Minneapolis since July 25, 2024. He loved it there (said they treated him like a baby) and made many new friends there. He had two friends from his past that were living there as well. It had been too difficult for him to move around at home.

John suffered from diabetes and had an underlying kidney condition that worsened this past year. He had pneumonia that put him in the hospital the beginning of September, then again on September 22. He was in the hospital a total of 31 days. He went to hospice on October 22. (back to his wonderful room at the Vets Home) where he passed into eternal life on 10-26. He had many, many visitors that last week. He was a loved man by many and will be deeply missed.

John graduated from John Harris High School in Harrisburg, PA, where he formed a wrestling team of one person. Seeking a college with a real wrestling team, he traveled halfway across the country to Mankato State College in Mankato, MN. There he joined the TKE Fraternity, became a nationally ranked, All-American Wrestler and made life-long friends.

After college, he joined the Marines at the time of the Vietnam War. Upon returning home he taught history in southern Minnesota for a few years. He held several degrees, then became an insurance claims adjuster and worked his way through law school. He earned his Doctorate of Juris Prudence from William & Mitchell School of Law in St. Paul. John continued to seek knowledge his entire life. He was a voracious reader of history. If John spoke, people listened to him as he spoke the truth. He loved The History

channel and when he was less able to move around, he loved watching the You Tube channel.

John met Carol in 1982. John was Carol’s foundation and one-man support and cheering team. From the day she walked into his law office, he had his eyes on her. After her legal problems had been resolved, he asked her out, and the rest is history. After a long courtship, they had their “My big fat Greek wedding” in 1991. He often told Carol that she couldn’t be Greek unless she liked feta cheese, after all, he said, “being Greek was a state of mind!” They were married in St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Saint Paul on August 25,1991 and had a beautiful wedding followed by a fun reception. His wife, Carol, the love of his life, cared for, nurtured and loved John unconditionally for their entire marriage.

John was a strong trial lawyer for over 25 years, even appearing before the Supreme Court twice. He officed in St. Louis Park and then the Commerce Building in Saint Paul for many years. John was well read, having read hundreds of books, had a great sense of humor, was quick witted and had a GREAT laugh that is hard to forget.

It was while lawyering that he also owned several pool halls. The last room he owned was CROWN BILLIARDS in Bloomington MN, opened in 1994. Crown was like a second home to many players because John was fair, happy and made everyone feel very welcome. Crown was their “Cheers” and many that played there are friends to this day. He was forced to close in 2003 when they abruptly lost their lease. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place that last night. John impacted a lot of lives there.

His love affair with the game of billiards began at a young age when his father ran a “pool hall” in Harrisburg, PA. He continued playing pool for the rest of his life, both for love of the sport, and the love of going to Las Vegas with his pool teammates to play in tournaments. One year (possibly 1988) they placed third in the nation!! John made life-long friends through the game of pool. He helped a lot of new players with their games. He even played against the great Willie Mosconi at an exhibition in his father’s business, The Olympic Billiard Academy in Harrisburg PA.

Always looking for the good in everyone, John was a kind, considerate and compassionate person. He helped less fortunate people with their legal needs, even if he knew he wouldn’t be paid. He worked as a Guardian ad Litem for the courts for several years, representing minors who had no one

else to speak for them. He was a man of conviction and was not easily swayed, so he was good at debating…and he was usually right.

John and Carol loved to travel. They visited the Czech Republic, Switzerland. Germany, Italy, many spots in Mexico, and numerous spots in Greece. They were in Athens during an earthquake, and when they finally made it back to their hotel room, there were cracks in the walls and his uncle had a huge gash on his forehead from part of a building hitting him. We loved the East coast: Ocean City MD. and NJ, and Florida. John’s family always went to the shore when they were growing up for their summer vacations.

John was the one person you could call on if you needed to buy something. That’s because he had already done the research on it. He was a very reliable “Consumer Reports”. Cars, televisions, you name it, he had already done the research and had the best choices for you. John’s hobbies included collecting watches, and shaving gear including cups, brushes, razors and creams. He LOVED a great shave! He would often ask a sister-in- law to “feel” his cheek! They were often taken back by it, but they understood John and his love of a smooth face.

John’s two sisters, Georgiann Heidbreder and Stella Wagner were pillars in his life. He LOVED to talk and argue with them on the phone. We loved spending holidays with them in Quincy, IL. or in Denver, CO. where we would go to the slopes and our favorite: Glenwood Hot Springs. He loved both his sisters dearly and unconditionally.

In 2011 John and Carol adopted their daughter Caroline Elena. John was retired and Carol was still working, so the responsibility for caring for this precious newborn baby fell into John’s hands. He often expressed that this was one of the best experiences in his life. He loved Caroline dearly and often said how blessed he was to have the experience of becoming a father and loving someone so much. He would text her every morning with sweet uplifting comments for the day that ALWAYS included how much he loved her. Caroline is an impressive athlete and is enjoying volleyball. I believe she got her athleticism from John. He used to wrestle and play-fight with her all the time when she was little, on the bed or on the floor. Carol was so worried Caroline would get injured. He made her “man up.”

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife of 33 years, Carol Jean-Matejka Alexis, his daughter Caroline Elena, his sisters: Georgiann Heidbreder (Quincy, IL) and Stella Wagner (Venice, FL), 3 brothers in law:

Loren [Dawn] Matejka, Paul (Rita) Matejka, Roger (Rita) Matejka, Allen (Suzie) Matejka; 2 sisters in law, Karen Matejka and Alyce Breneman and many nieces and nephews and cousins.

John was preceded in death by his parent Peter and Kalliope

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to his church or charity of your choice:

St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1111 Summit Ave. St Paul MN. 55105 or a charity of your choice.

Service and Visitation Details are as follows:

Viewing and visitation: Wednesday, November 6, 4:00 to 8:00 at Willwerscheid Funeral Home 1167 Grand Avenue, St. Paul MN 55105

There will be a small Trisagion (prayer) service about 6:00 that evening. People can share memories, before or after.

Funeral: Thursday November 7, 10:00 a.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Church 1111 Summit Ave. St. Paul MN 55105

Burial is at 12:30 at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.