LONGMEADOW – Edward "Lefty" Lantzakis, 94, of Longmeadow, was Called Safely Home on December 1, 2024. He passed into Eternal Life at CareOne at Redstone in East Longmeadow after a brief illness. He was born in Springfield on March 11, 1930, a beloved son of the late Nikiforos Lantzakis and Areanthe (Kourialidakis) Lantzakis. He was raised in Springfield, graduated in 1947 from Technical High School and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Western New England College. Prior to attending WNEC, he served honorably during the Korean Conflict in the U.S. Air Force. Living in Longmeadow for much of his life, he worked at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, developing and testing jet engines. A devoted husband and father, he was especially known for his devotion to both his immediate and extended family; actively caring for his sisters and sister-in-law in the later years of their respective lives. An avid crossword puzzler, he enjoyed caring for his yard and garden and was well known for his ability to craft solutions to everyday problems with creativity and ingenuity. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his loving brother, Mark Michael Layne; his three loving sisters, Kaliopi Lantzaki, Helen Lantzaki, and Lula Lantzaki. He leaves his beloved wife of 62 years, Susan (Piligian); his two children, Mark Lantzakis and his wife, Rebecca, of Longmeadow and Maria Cruise and her husband, James, of Rutland, VT; his five cherished grandchildren, Brittany Leclerc and her husband, Andrew, and their children, Natalie and Hailey of Attleboro, Renee Cruise of Charlestown, MA, Matthew Lantzakis of Springfield, Rachel Cruise of Essex Junction, VT; and Ian Lantzakis and his wife Madison, of Cedar Rapids, IA. Edward will Lie in Repose on Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. followed by a Funeral Service at 12 p.m. at Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2320 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01107. His burial with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the service at Oak Grove Cemetery, 426 Bay Street, Springfield, MA 01109. There are no visiting hours at the funeral home. His funeral arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 22 Saint George Road, Springfield, MA 01104 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
“May His Memory Be Eternal”