Athanasios "Arthur" Athanasiou, who loved and was beloved by family, friends, and his community alike, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 from a brief illness that he met with courage and grace on Wednesday, August 31st, 2016.
Arthur’s family includes his adored wife of more than 70 years, Georgia (Basdravanis) Athanasiou, and devoted children, his daughter, Toula Lavelle and her husband, Michael, of East Longmeadow, MA, and son, Nick Athanasiou, of Worcester, MA. Additionally, he was the cherished ‘Papou’ of five grandchildren: Michael Athanasiou, and his wife Anastasia of Somerville, MA, Christina Athanasiou, of Worcester, Shawn Lavelle, and his wife Jennifer of Centreville, VA, Erin and her husband Carm Keane of Ludlow, MA, and Kara and her husband Joe Sweeney, of East Longmeadow, MA, as well “Big Papou’ to seven great-grandchildren: Chloe and Colin Sweeney, Rose and Maeve Lavelle, Peyton and Aubrey Keane and Zoey Athanasiou. He also leaves a sister, Eleni Contoulis, of Melbourne, Australia, a sister-in-law, Lambrini Milionis of Worcester, four cousins in the US who were more like siblings, as well as 11 nephews and nieces here in Worcester, Greece and Australia.
He was predeceased by his parents, Nicholas and Fotini (Iatrou) Athanasiou, and five siblings; two brothers, Michael and Christos Athanasiou, and three sisters, Marina Pantazakos, Varvara Athanasiou, and Efthymia Peristeris, all of Greece.
Born in Tsamantas, Epirus, Greece on June 15, 1922, he immigrated to Worcester with his family in January, 1955, and worked as a baker at Table Talk Pies until his retirement in 1984. Arthur led an exemplary life centered on his family, heritage, faith and his deep appreciation for the opportunities that his new homeland, the United States, provided for him and his family.
He was a man to be admired and respected, a true gentleman who judged few and loved many. A devoted family man, he was the quintessential role model to his children and grandchildren. Together with his wife Georgia, Arthur set the example of how love is the bedrock upon which they can build a happy and fulfilling life. The love, care and attention he bestowed upon his family were unbounded, and each and every day, he made sure that they all knew they were and would always be "the most precious thing in his life." His sincerity, humility, thoughtfulness and gentle guidance will be missed by all.
Arthur was very active in the St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral community, where, as a member, he was President of the Senior Citizens Society, and a volunteer cook at many of the Church’s Grecian Festivals. He was also a charter member, President and Board of Director of the St George’s Benevolent Society of Tsamantas, where he spent countless untold hours over decades working to nurture and preserve the unique heritage, social fabric and sprit of a small village in Greece whose first immigrants to the US were were to have a major influence in building the now thriving Greek community here in Worcester, MA. Additionally, he developed, organized or quietly personally donated to a slew of economic relief programs for many of the villagers who remained in what is still today a remote and impoverished area of Greece.
Additionally, he served and fought bravely as a corporal in the Greek Army against the Communist-backed guerilla army during the Greek Civil War, one of the first conflicts that ensued as a result of the power vacuum left at the end of German-Italian occupation of Greece during World War II and the emergent Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union that followed.
The family wants to acknowledge with deep gratitude the unyielding compassion and dedication to Arthur’s needs and care provided by the nursing, medical and administrative staff of Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center over the last five months, as well as the nursing and medical staff at South 6th floor of UMass Memorial Hospital for his recent stay at the hospital. We also wish to express special heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Demosthenes Agiomavritis and his staff for the many decades of superior medical attention and friendship they provided Arthur.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 5th, with a Trisagion Service at 6:00 p.m., at O'CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 6th with a service at 10:00am at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell Street. Interment will follow at Hope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 300 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA 01606, or to the St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral Endowment Fund, 102 Russell Street, Worcester, MA 01609.