In Memory of
Constantine "Captain Gus" Markakis
December 20, 1937 - February 5, 2022
Member of Detroit Lodge No. 7 - 24 Years
Initiated June 28, 1998
Pennant No. 11722
Captain Gus at the Soo Locks aboard his beloved Oglebay Norton in August 2000
Gus went to sea at the age of 16, entering a nautical preparatory high school to learn navigation, seamanship, and rules of the road. He graduated in 1958 and by 1965 had ascended to 2nd mate aboard a Greek supertanker.
In 1967, he met his future wife, Antoinette, an American who was vacationing in Greece. In 1968, the couple moved to Chicago and Antoinette got a job with United States Steel, which at the time had a fleet of 42 vessels on the Great Lakes.
Gus applied to USS and was assigned to the steamer Henry Phipps, as a deckhand. He didn't know what a 'deckhand' was but shortly after boarding in Milwaukee, he figured out the position did not warrant his briefcase, sport coat and tie. His true status became even clearer when he was shown his quarters: a small cabin shared with three other men.
After a few months with U.S. Steel, Gus moved to the Inland Steel fleet, then in 1972 began his 28-year career with Oglebay Norton, earning his AB certificate the same year, then quickly moving up the ranks and earning his masters license in 1978.
In 1987, Gus was named permanent Captain of the Armco, and in 1991, permanent Captain of the Oglebay Norton, where he remained until his retirement in 2000. As Captain, he took great pride in the appearance of his vessel and was well-known for his attention to detail.
In 2003, his fellow lodge members honored him with the Lewis Ludington Award.
Gus is survived by his wife Antoinette, daughter Gina, son Emmanuel, and three grandchildren: Alyna, Evangelia, and Loukas. He will be dearly missed by family and friends.
The family has suggested memorial donations to the St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton, FL
Additional photos and an on-line guest book can be found at the funeral home website
Shortly after Gus retired from Oglebay Norton Company in August of 2000, Seaway Review ran a feature article about his career. The article can be viewed here.
Constantine "Captain Gus" Markakis
December 20, 1937 - February 5, 2022
Member of Detroit Lodge No. 7 - 24 Years
Initiated June 28, 1998
Pennant No. 11722
Captain Gus at the Soo Locks aboard his beloved Oglebay Norton in August 2000
Lodge member Gus Markakis passed
away peacefully in Boca Raton, Florida on
Saturday, February 5, 2022. Born in Greece
on December 20, 1937, he was 84 years
old.
Gus went to sea at the age of 16, entering a nautical preparatory high school to learn navigation, seamanship, and rules of the road. He graduated in 1958 and by 1965 had ascended to 2nd mate aboard a Greek supertanker.
In 1967, he met his future wife, Antoinette, an American who was vacationing in Greece. In 1968, the couple moved to Chicago and Antoinette got a job with United States Steel, which at the time had a fleet of 42 vessels on the Great Lakes.
Gus applied to USS and was assigned to the steamer Henry Phipps, as a deckhand. He didn't know what a 'deckhand' was but shortly after boarding in Milwaukee, he figured out the position did not warrant his briefcase, sport coat and tie. His true status became even clearer when he was shown his quarters: a small cabin shared with three other men.
After a few months with U.S. Steel, Gus moved to the Inland Steel fleet, then in 1972 began his 28-year career with Oglebay Norton, earning his AB certificate the same year, then quickly moving up the ranks and earning his masters license in 1978.
In 1987, Gus was named permanent Captain of the Armco, and in 1991, permanent Captain of the Oglebay Norton, where he remained until his retirement in 2000. As Captain, he took great pride in the appearance of his vessel and was well-known for his attention to detail.
In 2003, his fellow lodge members honored him with the Lewis Ludington Award.
Gus is survived by his wife Antoinette, daughter Gina, son Emmanuel, and three grandchildren: Alyna, Evangelia, and Loukas. He will be dearly missed by family and friends.
The family has suggested memorial donations to the St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton, FL
Additional photos and an on-line guest book can be found at the funeral home website
Shortly after Gus retired from Oglebay Norton Company in August of 2000, Seaway Review ran a feature article about his career. The article can be viewed here.
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