Philis, Anastasios Thomas - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Anastasios Thomas Philis in Vero Beach, Florida on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 84 years old.
He is predeceased by his wife Katherine Philis (nee Bouyoukas), and sister Marion Philis. He is survived by his sons Peter Alexander Philis of Sacramento, CA, Stephen Christopher Philis and wife Sylvia of Concord, CA., sisters Doris Henault of Springfield, MA., Alexandra Cobin of Lenox, MA., Vivian Pahos and husband Mike of Santa Barbara, CA., nieces Kathy (Steve) Luvera, Chrissie (Wally) Riley, Maria (Bruce) Benson, and nephews Peter Henault, Lester Cobin, Phil (Megan) Cobin, Theo (Leora) Pahos, and long-time companion Phyllis Michaelides.
Born in Holyoke, Mass., Tom spent his childhood there before venturing on to a very full and enriching life. He joined the army after high school and proudly served his military time stationed in Germany. After his discharge, he stayed in Europe and lived and traveled there for a short time before returning to the U.S. Upon returning he started his family, had two sons, and spent the majority of his life in the Greater Boston area, with the last few years being in Florida. He attended Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline, and Northeastern University in Boston. His career as a mechanical engineer led him to an exciting, diverse, and ever-changing professional life. Throughout his life some things remained constant and guiding for him: his love of music (singing and piano), his sense of humor, his love of photography (never without his Minox camera), his adoration of family, friends, and the Greek Orthodox Church, and his inquisitive mind and desire to learn. If he could roll all that into a day where he was also inventing or fixing something, end it with a drive in his convertible to somewhere he could do a little dancing, then that would be an exceptional day for him.
He was a proud-kind-loving-peaceful-and-giving person who will be greatly missed by his family and anyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting him.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave. Needham on Wednesday, May 2, at 8:45am followed by a funeral service at 10am at the Chapel at Hellenic College Holy Cross, 50 Goddard Ave, Brookline. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4-8pm. Interment at Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain.