Dimitrios Mavroudis fell asleep in the Lord surrounded by family during the most celebrated week of the year, on Bright Monday during Orthodox Easter. He was 91 years old.
Dimitrios was born in the village of Hrisohorafa, Greece in 1931. His parents, Anastasia Michaelidis, and George Mavroudis, were refugees from the region of Saranta Ekklises “Fourty Churches”. His father died when he was a young child and his mother later remarried George Germanos.
Dimitrios was a kind, loving, and compassionate man, whose entire life was centered on being of service to others. He cultivated the fields in Hrisohorafa, grazed sheep in the countryside, and fished in Lake Kerkini. He was very generous and enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor with family, friends, and neighbors.
As a young man in the Greek army, he proudly performed his military service for his native country with distinction. He was discharged to take care of his younger sister.
Dimitrios married his wife, Maria Vasiliadis in 1951 in Hrisohorafa, where they lived and raised their three daughters. In 1976, he immigrated with his family to Worcester, Massachusetts. He spent a number of years working in factories, including Parker & Harper Manufacturing, until he retired to help raise his grandchildren.
Dimitrios chose to come to America to provide a quality education for his children because he was deprived of his own due to WWII and the Greek Civil War. The trip meant separation from close relatives in an unfamiliar country with an uncertain future. His daughters who were 17, 20, and 24 years old at the time, were bilingual and assisted with navigating the language and cultural barriers. He proudly became a naturalized US citizen.
In Worcester, he was active in the St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church and was a dedicated volunteer at the Cultural Center Hrisohorafiton Alexander the Great, which is a community center for Greek immigrants from his hometown. Dimitrios had a reputation in the community as an honest and trustworthy man. He was there for anyone who needed his help, and treated people with respect. He was entrusted with special responsibilities and given access keys to manage daily operations. Upon his retirement, the President of the center awarded him with a plaque where he is addressed affectionately and reads: “In grateful appreciation for his years of outstanding service and devotion as a volunteer”.
Dimitrios’ family meant everything to him, and he always offered them his unconditional love and support. His last words to them were: “Take care of each other”. The church bells in Hrisohorafa, where he had returned to visit over the years, were rung upon his death.
Dimitrios was predeceased by his eldest daughter, Anastasia (Mavroudis) Papadapoulos and sister, Rodi (Mavroudis) Gonas.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 72 years, Maria (Vasiliadis) Mavroudis; brothers, Konstatinos Germanos and his wife, Maria Germanos, Mavroudis Germanos and his wife, Despina Germanos; sisters, Dimitroula Germanos, Maria Vasiliadou; his daughters, Magdalen Mavroudis and Georgia (Mavroudis) Parafestas; son-in-laws, Christopher Gardner and Anastasios Parafestas; grandchildren, Patricia (Parafestas) Duy and her husband Adrian Duy, Maria Parafestas, Anastasia Parafestas, and George Gardner; great-grandchildren, Georgia Duy and Anastasia Duy; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are Monday, April 24th from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. in St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral with his funeral service to immediately follow. Burial will be in Hope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell St, Worcester, MA 01609.