A Mass of Christian Burial for Deacon Peter Gounis will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, at St. Ferdinand Church in Florissant. Deacon Gounis died May 12. He was 80 years old.
Deacon Gounis was ordained on Feb. 5, 1983, by Archbishop John L. May at the Cathedral of Saint Louis. He served at Sacred Heart in Florissant, Ste. Genevieve in Ste. Genevieve, St. Paul in Fenton, North American Martyrs in Florissant and St. Ferdinand before retiring in 2012. He presided at Communion services, baptisms, funeral services and weddings. He also served in various parish positions including Director of Religious Education, youth minister and on the parish finance committee.
In the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Deacon Gounis participated in the initial organization of the Diaconate Committee, where he served as a member and later as chairman. He was also part of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, Archdiocesan Committee for Youth and a committee member for Archdiocesan Synod 10. He was a chaplain for the Garden of Innocents and the St. Louis Airport Interfaith chaplaincy.
Deacon Gounis is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughters and son-in-law, Julie, Elaine, Karl and Katie; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Burial will be in St. Matthew Cemetery.
