Kirk E. Jiannacopoulos

PORTAGE - Kirk E. Jiannacopoulos, age 53, lost his life on Sunday, March 5, 2017, the victim of an auto accident.

Kirk was born May 18, 1963 in Beloit, the son of James and Rose Jiannacopoulos. Graduated Beloit Memorial HS, obtained his degree at UW-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning. Earned his Registered Architect Certification and went on to complete his MBA. Kirk and Julia Pintar were married on September 15, 1990. Their loving daughter, Nina was born February 20, 2000. 

For the last five years he had been the facility architect at Meriter Hospital in Madison. Kirk was very well respected and it's been the most rewarding job of his career.

Kirk was a dynamic man, always moving, always ready for adventure. He was traditional in many ways, but often surprisingly unconventional. Kirk blazed his own path. He had an excellent sense of humor and timing; a quick wit and not afraid to make fun of himself. He enjoyed physical activity in its many forms: triathlons, running, and completed Ironman in 2012. He was training for Madison Ironman in 2017. Kirk also loved building projects and renovation, hiking, kayaking, snow-shoeing, lake swimming, bow hunting, chopping wood, blazing trail, brewing and drinking good beer. His favorite activities always included his girls, his family and his many friends. Kirk truly motivated people, encouraging them to push themselves and always strive for their best. 

He is survived by his wife, Julia Jiannacopoulos of Portage, daughter Nina at home: father James (Janet) Jiannacopoulos of Beloit; siblings Kerri (Thomas) Sweeney of Rockton, Il, Krista Jiannacopoulos and fiancé Jim Martin of Burbank, CA, Karl (Mary) Jiannacopoulos of Sun Prairie, Kraig Jiannacopoulos of Beloit; step brother, Aaron (Shelly) Zimmerman of Brodhead; step-sister, Whitney (Bill) Lentine of Beloit; father-in-law & mother-in-law Thomas M. (Pat) Pintar of Boise, ID; brother-in-law, Thomas J. (Lori) Pintar of Eagle, ID; sister-in-law, Jennifer Pintar of Republic, MO; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces & nephews, and many, many close friends and professional colleagues. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rose.

A memorial visitation will be held at Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage on Saturday March 11, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may either be made to a college fund for their daughter, Nina or a Memorial Prairie fund to establish a prairie at their 'little house' in Coloma.