Konstantine G. Yankopolus, M.D., 92, son of the late George and Polixeny Yankopolus, passed away peacefully in his home on February 16, 2009. He was the devoted husband to his loving wife of 65 years, Mary Mamatseo Yankopolus, formerly of Bristol, CT. A native of the village of Votani in the prefecture of Kastoria, Macedonia, Greece, Dr. Yankopolus immigrated to the United States with his mother in 1922 to join his father, a New Bedford, MA merchant and subsequent proprietor of the National Ice Cream Company. A product of New Bedford public schools and after-school studies of Greek language, culture and classics at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, he graduated from Harvard College in 1938 and the Boston University School of Medicine in 1942. He interned at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford prior to mobilization for active service in the US Army Medical Corps in 1943, where he received initial surgical training. His next assignment took him to the 4th Auxiliary Surgical Group in 1944, with follow on training in anesthesia. Dr. Yankopolus served with that unit as the anesthetist on a six-person surgical team assigned to 3rd Army evacuation and field hospitals in Europe until the end of WWII. He attained the rank of Captain and his wartime experience instilled a passion for surgery that he pursued after the war. It led him to complete a surgical residency, become board certified, and operate a general surgery practice based in his home office in New Bedford’s North End. He served as Chief of Surgery at St. Luke’s Hospital from 1969 to 1974 and left private practice in 1980. The following year, until his retirement in 1987, Dr. Yankopolus was Chief of Staff of the New Bedford Veterans Clinic. He ended his medical career in the service of veterans, a fitting end to its wartime start.
Dr. Yankopolus entered combat with the 4th Auxiliary Surgical Group in Normandy, France in June 1944. His team was later assigned to support the 3rd Army under the command of General George S. Patton. Dr. Yankopolus chronicled his service, from his first stateside duty station, to 3rd Army advance across Europe, in some 500 letters written to his bride. She preserved those letters, which later formed the basis of his memoir, “An Odyssey of a Medical Officer in the E.T.O. WWII,” a private printing made for family and friends in 2000. His writings are a collection of almost daily journal entries of observations, reflections and descriptions of the personal experience of a young, thoughtful medical officer at war. They include expressions of love and devotion to his wife and family, personal and professional admiration for his teammates, descriptions of pioneering medical procedures, and treatment of waves of casualties, friendly and enemy alike, during the push of each offensive. He expresses gratitude, as do so many immigrants, for a life in the United States that might have otherwise been different. It presented him with an opportunity for a first class education and profession, and gave him the satisfaction, as he would write, to contribute to his nation “as a healer, not a killer.”
Dr. Yankopolus was a lifelong, active and devoted member of New Bedford’s St. George Greek Orthodox Church. He was present for its dedication in 1937 and served as parish vice-president in 1958-59. Together with his wife, he was he was recognized for his services to the Church and the community with the 1994 Annual Laity Award of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Boston. It was presented to him by his eminence, Metropolitan Methodios, of Boston. Ultimately, he became a major benefactor for the new St. George Greek Orthodox Church now under construction in North Dartmouth, MA. He maintained a close, lifelong friendship with his spiritual leader, Archimandrite Rev. Constantine Bebis, St. George Parish priest, a man with whom he sustained his Orthodox faith and shared his passions for learning, the local community and Greek culture.
In retirement, Dr. Yankopolus was an avid reader and devoted many hours to the study of Greek classical texts in their original ancient Greek script, particularly the works of Homer. He valued education and often spoke fondly of his teachers and his scholastic achievements in his formative years. He was valedictorian of his Normandin Junior High School Class and graduated with highest honors at New Bedford High School. He remained inspired throughout life by the words spoken at his Normandin Junior High School baccalaureate address by former New Bedford Mayor, Charles Ashley, who urged his graduating class to “Dig for Gold” in their back yard. He did just that. In 2005 he was recognized by the Hellenic Medical and Dental Association with the Hygia Award for his contributions to medicine.
A summer resident of Mattapoisett, MA, his home by the sea was his personal paradise for over 55 years. It was his place of immense solitude and relaxation that he generously shared with family and friends. An avid tennis player, Dr. Yankopolus once wrote that his greatest joy was playing tennis there with his wife and children, and later, his grandchildren. The sport was a passion that replaced golf. A self described “hacker” he often recalled with delight and amusement his one-time hole-in-1. His other pastime, Bridge, occupied many moments of enjoyment, as he would partner with his wife.
Part of the “Greatest Generation,” he fulfilled the American Dream. His contribution to his family, to his many friends, to his church and his community will be missed. He passed peacefully in his home, surrounded by family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Mary M. Yankopolus; three sons, George K. Yankopolus, DMD of Glens Mills, PA; Konstantine K. Yankopolus, MD of Ft Myers, FL; and Demetrius K. Yankopolus, of Tampa, FL; two daughters, Paula Troupos of Gaithersburg, MD and Anna King of Edmonds, WA; nine grandchildren; and his sister, Athena Procopion, of Waterbury, CT. He was predeceased in 2002 by his sister, Angelica “Kiki” Alexion, of Fairhaven, MA and Ft. Myers, FL.
His Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 11 AM at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. Burial with military honors will follow in Acushnet Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. George Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund, 87 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, MA 02746. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.