Constantine T. Nanopoulos, 84, retired Superintendent of Schools for the City of New Bedford, passed away suddenly on Sunday March 26, 2017 at his home in North Fort Myers, Florida. He was the loving husband of Grace A. (Poirier) Nanopoulos.
A New Bedford native, he was the son of Greek immigrants, Theodore and Helen (Kostas) Nanopoulos. He was a graduate of New Bedford High School, Class of 1950, and Harvard University, Class of 1954. He had been a member of R.O.T.C. while in high school and college. After graduation, he served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Oklahoma and in Dachau, Germany.
Mr. Nanopoulos dedicated nearly four decades of service to the New Bedford Public School Department. He began his long career in education as a teacher at Roosevelt Junior High School, then became assistant principal at Roosevelt, principal at Keith Junior High School, assistant superintendent for business, deputy superintendent, and later superintendent of schools for 15 years before his retirement in 1996. While superintendent, his administration strove to channel its fiscal resources to achieve excellence in three areas - academics, athletics, and co-curricular.
Upon his retirement, he was honored as the Massachusetts Teachers Association's "Friend of Education" and the Prince Henry Society's "Man of the Year."
He is survived by his wife, Grace; his son Mark C. Nanopoulos and his companion Beverly Navarro of New Bedford; two grandsons, Ross and Matthew Nanopoulos and their mother, Kathleen Sullivan Nanopoulos; and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his siblings, Mary Nanopoulos, Nicholas Nanopoulos, George Nanopoulos, and James Nanos.
His Funeral will be held on Saturday April 8, 2017 at 8:30 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his Funeral Mass at St. Joseph-St. Therese Church at 9:30 AM. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 5-8 PM. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.