PIERAKOS - James L. Of South Buffalo, NY, in the arms of the Theotokos, on June 9, 2023. Beloved husband of 65 years to Eugenia M. (Manicas) Pierakos; devoted father of Magdalina M. "Meg" (James) Gifford, Anastasia "Stacy" (Michael D.) Roeder, Theodora M. "Theo" (James L.) Lambert, Athena M. (Joseph E.) Schmidt, Ilia M. (Dr. Michael S.) Beecher and Thalia M. (Daniel G.) Dierken; proud "Papa" of Alexandra M. (Michael J.) Constantino, Molly Gifford, Chase Gifford, Preston J.P. Gifford, Tyler J. (Caroline Lodinsky) Roeder, Stephanie E. (Alan) Kowalewski, Karras J. (Naoko) Lambert, Nikolas "Niko" T. Lambert, Allegra C. (Kevin) Fronczak, Maxwell J. (Marissa) Schmidt, Mitchell E. Schmidt, Lyra V. Schmidt, Tessa A. Schmidt, Jonathan "Jack" Beecher, and Claire E. Beecher; also survived by 8 great-grandchildren; son of the late Louis D. and Magdaline L. (Orphanos) Pierakos; favorite son-in-law of the late Theodore "Ted" and Esther (Calcagno) Manicas; brother of Sally (Melvin) Grubka and the late Georgia Page; also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.The family will be present Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 4-8 PM where the Trisagion Service will be held at 7 PM at the CASTIGLIA FUNERAL HOME, INC., 873 Abbott Rd., South Buffalo, NY, (716) 824-6435. Family and friends are invited to assemble for a Funeral Service at The Hellenic Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, (Corner of Delaware Ave. & West Utica St., Buffalo, NY), Friday, June 16, 2023 at 10 AM. (Please assemble at church). Private Interment will be held at the WNY National Cemetery in Pembroke, NY.Mr. Pierakos was the former Executive Deputy Director of the Buffalo Streets Sanitation Department, President of the Abbott-South Park Business Association, Inc., President of the Men's Sustaining Society of Mercy Hospital, President of the Federation of South Buffalo Community Organizations, member of South Buffalo Post #721 American Legion, AFCME Local #254 and many other civic and business organizations. Mr. Pierakos served in the U.S. Army as Chief of Communications for the 19th Engineer Combat Group in Korea during the Korean Conflict. Memorial contributions may be made to the Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight. Please share your condolences at: www.castigliafuneralhome.com