Reading AHEPA Chapter Serves 200 at Holiday Breakfast

The Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 Order of AHEPA hosted a Holiday Breakfast on Sunday, December 18, 2016, at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, Pa..

Message From The President ...

Dear Brothers:

 

On Sunday, December 18^th, we will be hosting an AHEPA Holiday Breakfast during fellowship.  Our pancake breakfast is FREE OF CHARGE!  We expect a great turnout from our community and we hope to see all Ahepans join us for breakfast.  Brother Chris Kraras will organize a few Brothers to assist with food preparation.  We will need some help in the serving line and clean up duties.  Immediately following Communion, we will also be serving pancakes to the Sunday School children prior to their Christmas pageant rehearsal following Church service.

 

Fraternally and Sincerely,

George J. Giovanis, President

Order of AHEPA, Chapter 61

In Memoriam: Harry Pappas

Harry "Laki" Pappas, 81, of Lower Alsace Township, died December 7, 2016, in the Reading Hospital & Medical Center.

He was the loving husband of Maria (Karaoglanis) Pappas, who he married in Greece on January 7, 1962. Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, on April 17, 1935, he was a son of the late Constantinos and Margarita (Boukas) Xenidis.

Harry was very proud to be an American citizen, having received his citizenship on September 7, 1961.

He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and was a member of the VFW Post #6633, Upper Darby.

Harry was a self-employed contractor his entire working life, retiring in 2004.

He was a member of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Reading, and St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Media.

Harry was a past president of St. George Church and was a lifetime member of the Order of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.) After many years of membership in the Chester-Delco Chapter No. 79, Brother Harry transferred his membership to the Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 in Reading, PA

He is also survived by two children, Constantinos "Gus," husband of Sonya (Enoch) Pappas, of Swarthmore,

Delaware County, and Margaret (Pappas), wife of Spiro Phyrillas, of Exeter Township.

Other survivors include a sister, Georgia (Xenidis), wife of Thanasis Bouzoudis, of Thessaloniki, Greece.

Harry was predeceased by five siblings: Kyriakos Xenidis, Zoegrafa Xenidis, Marika (Xenidis) Mwraitis, Brathena (Xenidis) Kakantonis and Menilos Xenidis.

He was the beloved "Papou" to six loving grandchildren: Maria T. Phyrillas, Alex H. Pappas, Nick J. Pappas, Anastasis S. Phyrillas, Eleni C. Pappas and Vasilis S. Phyrillas.

The funeral service will be chanted Friday, December 9th, at 10:30 a.m. in St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 30 East Forge Road, Media, Pa. 19063. A viewing will be held Friday from 9:30 am - 10:30 a.m. in the Church. Graveside services with full military honors will be held Friday,

December 9th, at 3:00 p.m. in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to

Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 1001 E. Wyomissing Blvd., Reading, Pa. 19611.

Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., 3300 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, is in charge of arrangements.

For online condolences, visit www.StitzelFamilyFuneralHomes.com.

The Story of Oxi Day

SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC & PIG ROAST SET FOR AUGUST 27

The next big chapter event is the Ernie Orphanos Memorial AHEPA Scholarship Golf Classic & Pig Roast on Saturday, August 27, 2016, at Chapel Hill Golf Course, 2023 Old Lancaster Pike, Reading, PA 19608. Everyone is invited to play golf ($80 per person) or just come from the fellowship at the Pig Roast ($25 per person; Children under 12 free). The Pig Roast is included in the fee for golfers. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for Berks County businesses. For more information, contact Michael Macaronis at 610-858-7164.

Highlights from 2016 Scholarship Banquet

In Memoriam: Lawrence Medaglia Sr.

Lawrence J. Medaglia Sr., of Wyomissing Hills, passed away Friday, June 17, 2016. He was the loving husband of Dawn (Pezdirc) Medaglia, celebrating 53 years of marriage.

A devoted husband and father, Larry and Dawn raised four children, the late Dyana Balog; Laura Medaglia; Larry, Jr., husband of Teresa; and Shelly Edwards, wife of Phil.

Larry and Dawn were blessed with seven grandchildren, Nikki Balog, Vanessa Cicero, whom they raised, Max Medaglia, Alexandra Buss, Jack Edwards, Daniel Medaglia, and Jessica Edwards, and one great grandson, Jeremiah Nieves.

Larry, known to many as "Fred", loved his family, extended family and those friends who were thought of as family. To his aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, he was Sunny or Uncle Sunny. He was truly the family patriarch and became known as Padrino Lorenzo.

A prolific poem writer, Larry commemorated his loved ones' birthdays and special events with his heartfelt and witty prose.

During his professional career, he worked for Berkshire Color, Tenneco, American Color & Chemical, and finally Ciba Geigey. He often joked he was sold with the furniture through each successive corporate merger. He enjoyed 13 years in retirement.

He loved to play golf, celebrated and suffered as a die-hard Phillies fan, and was an avid gardener. His fried peppers were magnificent, and his holiday meals the stuff of legend.

Larry was a proud veteran of the United States Army, in the Intelligence Service, stationed in Germany during the Korean War. After serving his country for three years, he was honorably discharged in 1956.

Larry was a member of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, and a member of the Order of AHEPA.

Larry was born to the late Josephine (Panetta) and John Medaglia, Sr. on June 26, 1932. He was predeceased by his brother, John, Jr. and is survived by his sister Rosemary Muggleston.

Services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. in Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 1001 E. Wyomissing Blvd., Reading, PA 19611, with burial to follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park. Viewings will be held Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading and Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. in the church.

Contributions may be made to Sts. Constantine and Helen Church at the above address; Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 (woundedwarriorproject.org) or Olivet Boys and Girls Club, attn: Joseph and Gertrude Moyer Scholarship Fund, 1161 Pershing Blvd., Reading, PA 19611. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.

Reading AHEPA Chapter Awards $4,000 in Scholarships

The Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 recently honored four outstanding high school seniors from the Reading, Pa., area at its annual Scholarship Banquet. Pictured from l-r are the 2016 Scholarship Recipients: James Phyrillas, Jocelyn Dialectos, Michelle Craciun and Alex Lountzis. James will be attending Temple University. Jocelyn will be attending Penn State University. Michelle will be attending DeSales University. Alex will be attending North Carolina State University. Also pictured is the Rev. Father Thomas Pappalas of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

In Memoriam: Michael Marmarou

Michael Marmarou, age 69 years, of Kenhorst, Pa., passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at his residence.
Michael was born in Mytilini, Greece on March 25, 1947, a son of the late Ralio (Hioteli) and Hristodolo Marmarou and was the husband of Constantina  (Paraskis) Marmarou, of Kenhorst.
He served in the Greek Army  from 1968 to 1971 and was a self employed painter and contractor.  He also formerly owned and operated Moyer's Cigar Store, Reading.
Michael was a member of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Reading, and was a member of the Filian Society.
He was a former member of the Order of AHEPA, initiated into the Reading, Pa., chapter in 1976.
He loved hunting and fishing and his vacations with his wife, Connie, and children to Greece.
Michael is survived by his two daughters, Rallia Marmarou, of Reading; Evelyn Marmarou, fiance' of Robert Spohn, of Reading; and sister, Hrisavgi, wife of  Ignatou Laskarida, of Athens, Greece.
Michael is also survived by nephew, Hristodolo, husband of Stella Marmarou; nephew Panagioti Marmarou; nephew, Mike, husband of Katarina Marmarou; nephew, Dimitri Marmarou; niece, Ralio, wife of Dimitri Patiti; nephew, Kosta Laskiroudou; and niece, Farsalia, wife of Georgios Manikas, as well as great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Therapon Marmarou.
Family and friends are invited to call Tuesday from 10 AM to 12 PM at St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Reading. Religious service will follow at 12 PM. Interment at Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading.
Flowers and contributions may be made to St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 1001 E. Wyomissing Blvd., Reading, PA 19611.
Arrangements entrusted to the John P. Feeney Funeral Home, in Reading's Centre Park Historic District, 625 N. 4th St. at Centre Ave., Reading, PA 19601

AHEPA Sunday Celebrated by Reading Chapter No. 61

Dozens of members of Gust. C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 stand in the front pews for a Memorial Service during AHEPA  Sunday on May 15, 2016, at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, Pa.

On Sunday, May 15, 2016, more than 40 members of Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 gathered at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church for AHEPA Sunday, a day to honor the memory of departed brothers. Following the church service, the Reading/Berks AHEPA Chapter hosted a luncheon for the entire church congregation. A commemorative booklet listing every deceased member of the Reading/Berks Chapter over the past 90 years was also distributed following the service.

Members of Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 prepare to serve a luncheon following a memorial service during AHEPA Sunday in May 15, 2016, at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, Pa. Pictured L-R are chapter members Kim Shunk, Gust Kraras, George Giovanis, Chris Dikos, Athan Dialectos and Anthony Koumaras.

Archbishop Demetrios Proclaims May 15 as AHEPA Sunday

Encyclical recognizes AHEPA's promotion of Hellenic ideals 

through its mission and programming

WASHINGTON (May 11, 2016) - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios has proclaimed May 15, 2016 as "AHEPA Sunday" in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

The encyclical issued by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios states in part: "On this day we also recognize the members of our beloved AHEPA family, as they are inspired by the power of the faith that we share and their love for humankind to offer service and resources in many ways."

Archbishop Demetrios adds: "For over ninety years the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association has promoted the ideals of philanthropy, education, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence through many programs and special efforts, including assistance to Greek immigrants, scholarships for youth, housing for senior adults, relief funds following major tragedies, and activism on a wide range of issues."

  

"We are honored and we deeply appreciate the kind and eloquent words Archbishop Demetrios uses to describe the community service work our members provide through the Hellenic ideals promoting through our mission," Supreme President John W. Galanis said. "The AHEPA family values the close ties it has with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. We are also grateful for the blessings His Eminence has bestowed upon our organization and members." 

On AHEPA Sunday, Supreme President Galanis also conveys the AHEPA family's appreciation to all donors of the campaign to help to rebuild Saint Nicholas National Shrine at World Trade Center and appeals to the community to continue its diligent effort to reach our goal and witness Saint Nicholas rise again. 

• READ & SHARE: Encyclical of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios for AHEPA Sunday
• TAKE ACTION & DONATE: AHEPA-Saint Nicholas National Shrine Campaign

Mother's Day Card Raises Money For Scholarship Fund

This beautiful booklet was distributed on Mother's Day after church services at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church. The booklet gave AHEPANs an opportunity to pay tribute to the women in their lives and the memory of departed loved ones. All proceeds from the listings in the booklet will go to the chapter Scholarship Fund.

AHEPA Chapter No. 61 Election Results

Elections for chapter officers for the 2016-17 administrative year were held on Sunday, April 20, 2016.

The following officers were elected unanimously:

President George J. Giovanis
Vice President Anthony Koumaras
Secretary Dean Kraras
Treasurer Tony Phyrillas
Correspondence Secretary Dean Whitman

Board of Governors:
Chris Wagner, Chairman
Stam Zervanos
Christ Kraras
Michael Chaknos
Frankie Petrakis

Congratulations to all the Brothers for volunteering to serve as chapter officers for the coming year. The new administrative year begins on July 1, 2016.

The National Hellenic Museum Honors AHEPA

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Top volunteer award from United Way of Berks County for AHEPAN Christ Kraras

Wyomissing couple win top volunteer award from United Way of Berks County | Reading Eagle - NEWS: Chris and Ann Kraras were surprised to receive the honor at the agency's annual awards dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Reading.

AHEPAN Christ Kraras featured in Reading Eagle

President of Shillington travel agency wins Thun Award for service to community | Reading Eagle - NEWS: Chris Kraras passed along the $5,000 cash grant to his alma mater, Albright College.

Christ G. Kraras receives prestigious Thun Award

AHEPA member Christ G. Kraras, a prominent Berks County businessman and civic leader, has received another well-deserved honor for his work in the community ....

From left, BCCF president Kevin Murphy, 2016 Thun Award recipient Christ G. Kraras, Fulton Bank senior executive vice president Jeffrey R. Rush, and BCCF board chairman J. William Widing III, Esq. A Celebration of Giving dinner and the presentation of the 2016 Thun Award to Christ G. Kraras, presented by Fulton Bank and the Berks County Community Foundation, at Berkshire Country Club. Photo courtesy of Berks County Community Foundation.

Click on the link below to read the full article ...

Christ G. Kraras receives Thun Award for commitment to community and philanthropy: READING, PA  – In honor of his unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for others, Berks County businessman and community leader Christ “Chris” G. Kraras received the 2016 Thun Award at a private ceremony on April 2.

AHEPAN Peter Zeppos featured in Reading Eagle

Wyomissing family's big, fat Greek coincidence | Reading Eagle - NEWS: The Millers of Wyomissing have an extended family, and family circumstances, that closely mirror the characters and plot in ...

Photo Highlights From AHEPA Family Christmas Party