Peter John Mandas

Peter John Mandas, affectionately called Pete by friends and family, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2026, at the age of 72 in Danville, KY.

Born on November 3, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York, to Ioannis Petros Mandarakas (“John Mandas”) and Catherine Mandas (Maliades), Peter enjoyed a happy childhood filled with the sights, sounds, and adventures of growing up in multi-cultural Brooklyn and a personal appreciation for his Greek heritage. Alongside his older sister, Irene, his younger brother, Paul, and many congregation friends, he created memories that would stay with him throughout his life. He later relocated to Baltimore, Maryland where he spent the next couple of decades.

Peter loved all things sports and was overall a very good athlete. He enjoyed handball, indoor racquetball, basketball, tennis, baseball, football, table tennis and ice hockey. As a young adult, he was known for organizing groups of friends to play various games and even to go to Manhattan to ice skate. If there was a sport to be played- he wanted to play it! He was even observed trying to figure out cricket while visiting Bermuda during an International Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Pete also loved games and anything he could strategize. Anyone that knew Peter, knew it was only a matter of time before he invited you to play some type of card or board game- Spades, Poker, and Rook were favorites as were chess and pool. He often joked he didn’t need a line item for entertainment in his budget, just $1 for a pack of cards. He had a knack for turning everyday moments into pockets of fun-like Bible trivia while doing field service on zoom, or made-up games and math riddles to entertain the kids while waiting for their food at a restaurant.

He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on October 11, 1967, at the age of 13 and often joked that he was really baptized twice, as his mother was pregnant with him when she was baptized. He loved helping the friends in the congregation and being in the mix with various fun spiritual activities. Whether by helping in the congregation as an elder, Kingdom Hall quick- builds, or creating fun opportunities for hospitality and get together. Some of his favorite spiritual memories were participating in the live production of full-length dramas, complete with costumes and rehearsals for conventions. Being a Brooklyn native, taking care of the Bethelites, and taking Bible studies to tour world headquarters was always a highlight. In more recent years his prison ministry held a special place in his heart, and he took a real personal interest in those he met there, often jotting down little notes or scriptures he thought of to help them when he was away from them.

After graduating from high school, he began a career in retail store management, where he worked for 30 years, and was known for his strong work ethic and ability to maximize store profits.

He always prioritized visiting family and would often make the drive from Maryland to Kentucky. After retiring, he relocated to Kentucky to be closer to his parents and helped care for his mother in her final days.

Peter had two daughters, Majenda and Noachia and especially treasured the last couple of years he got to spend with Noachia when she also relocated to Kentucky.

Friends and family will forever remember Peter’s fun- loving nature, gregarious laugh and big smile.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents, and his second wife. He is survived by his daughters and their families, his siblings and their families, nieces and their families and many lifelong friends from New York, Maryland, and Kentucky that became like family.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the dear friends and family for the compassion, care, and practical help shown during this time. We look forward to the day we can welcome him back to life in a Paradise earth in perfect health. In honor of Pete, tell a riddle, make a joke, and play some cards. “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away”