Local obituary: John Rousanidis, Peabody 33-year-old and crewmember on Lily Jean

John Paul Rousanidis, 33, of Peabody, passed away at sea on January 30, 2026, while working on the fishing vessel, the Lily Jean. He leaves behind his devastated family who are dealing with this tragic loss. He is the beloved son of Ann Marie (Zolotas) Rousanidis and the late John Francis Brown and Paul Rousanidis.

John was born on March 26, 1992, in Salem, MA, and was raised in Peabody until the age of 8, when he moved to Greece with his family. Being in Greece ignited his love for the ocean as his family lived very close to the sea. John also went to school in Greece and made many friends who gravitated towards him because of his friendly and fun-loving attitude. His love for Greece propelled him to serve his country by joining the Army.

In 2016, John moved back to Peabody to chase his dreams. He was working professionally as a fisherman and was known for his strong work ethic, his dependability, and his friendliness. Many of his coworkers became his friends. Speaking of friends, he had many of them, and he considered all of them to be family.

John was always full of life and always had a smile on his face, even in difficult and challenging times. He had a positive, upbeat attitude and would always be there to help others in need. He was even willing to give the shirt off his back to give to someone who needed it. He had a very kind soul and a loving heart. He had a deep compassion for people and never judged anyone.

In addition to the love of the sea that he had from a very young age, John enjoyed spending time outdoors. He also enjoyed boxing and working out. Above all else, John’s greatest love was his family. He was truly the heart and soul of his family. He was a loyal and loving son, a loving brother, uncle, and nephew, and a dedicated friend to many. His family is heartbroken at his sudden passing, and even though his body was not recovered, they will cherish his memory forever. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him. His legacy of kindness, generosity, and service to others will continue to inspire others to act in the same way.

In addition to his mother Ann Marie, John is survived by his sisters Lisa Russo, Paula Rousanidis and her husband Sergio da Silva, Keri Rousanidis and her husband Jerry Garcia Munoz, and Irene Rousanidis; his brothers Michael Brown and his wife Rebecca Marino Brown and Paulo Rousanidis; and many nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, and dear friends.

A memorial visitation will be held at St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, 5 Paleologos St., Peabody, on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service in the church at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s name to St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church or to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by the Conway Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. For directions and online guestbook please visit www.ccbfuneral.com.

This local obituary is published via Legacy.com and Conway Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home. Want a loved one’s obituary featured on Boston.com? Submit your obituary here, or email it to [email protected].