AHEPA Chapter 61 Awards $7,000 in Scholarships to 2024 Graduates

Six of the seven graduates were able to attend the 2024 Scholarship Banquet. Pictured l-r: Adam Tilley, Tommy Hunsicker, Ella Zervanos, Felicia Caloiero, Stephen Elliker and Nicholas Simotas. (Jackson Wagner is not pictured.)

For the 13th year in a row, the Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61 Order of AHEPA has recognized some of the outstanding high school graduates in the Greek-American community in Berks County.

Seven seniors were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the chapter to help finance their first year of college.

The graduates were honored at the chapter's annual Scholarship Banquet on May 21, 2024, held in the Kraras Hall at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, Pa.

The local AHEPA Chapter has awarded more than $55,000 in Scholarships since the program began in 2011.

This year's honorees are Felicia Caloiero, Stephen Elliker, Tommy Hunsicker, Nicholas Simotas, Adam Tilley, Jackson Wagner and Ella Zervanos. 

Scholarship Chairman Athan Dialectos at the podium is assisted by Chapter President George Giovanis as they prepare to announce the 2024 Scholarship recipients.

Chapter President George Giovanis and his wife Joan are instrumental in organizing the Scholarship Banquet every year.

Talented students from Wilson High School choirs provided entertainment at the Scholarship Banquet.

Toastmaster Christ Kraras presents a restaurant gift certificate to Tony Phyrillas as Chapter President George Giovanis prepares for the next drawing in the popular Scholarship Dollars raffle to support the chapter's Scholarship Program. 

Members of the Caloiero Family pose with Scholarship Recipient Felicia Caloiero.

Members of the Elliker Family pose with Scholarship Recipient Stephen Elliker.

The Hunsicker Family poses with Scholarship Recipient Tommy Hunsicker.

Scholarship Recipient Nicholas Simotas with Dad Alex and Mom Michelle.

The Tilley Family poses with Scholarship Recipient Adam "AJ" Tilley.

The Zervanos Family poses with Scholarship Recipient Ella Zervanos.

AHEPAN Dean Whitman receives 2024 St. Photios Award

Dean and Sharon Whitman

AHEPAN Dean Whitman was recognized for service to his church by Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh at the St. Photios Awards Banquet held May 18, 2024, at the DoubleTree by Hilton at Cranberry, Pa.

Dean's wife, Sharon, was also honored at the banquet. The couple has worked tirelessly for many years as volunteers at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading Pa.

With more than 400 in attendance, Metropolitan Savas presented awards to 65 church volunteers from more than 30 different parishes in the Metropolis of Pittsburgh, which covers Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

“Our awardees have given a lifetime of service, skill and love to the Greek Orthodox Church,” Metropolitan Savas said during his remarks. “Their service has borne much fruit in the Lord’s vineyard, and we offer this recognition as an expression of our deep and abiding gratitude.”

Metropolitan Savas presented each honoree with a framed certificate and a pin depicting St. Photios the Great, Patriarch of Constantinople.

This was the 10th year the banquet was held to recognize “unsung church volunteers" and raise money for the Metropolitan’s Benevolence Fund.

Dean and Sharon were nominated for the St. Photios Award by the Parish Council at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church. Both retired from the US Postal Service and devote countless hours of volunteer work for their church.

In addition to being a member of AHEPA Chapter No. 61, where he currently serves as Correspondence Secretary, Dean Whitman is a member of the Saint Xenia Philoptochos Society, where he earned the nickname of "Mr. Philoptochos" and sings in the church choir. 

Previous honorees from Saints Constantine and Helen Church were Tony Phyrillas and Marian Cheri in 2022 and Stathis Gasparis and Marika Krallis in 2023.

In Memoriam: John Frangakis

John Frangakis of Mount Penn, Pa., the former owner of the DeLuxe Restaurant, passed away on May 3, 2024, at age 91. 

He was born in Chios, Greece, on September 29, 1933, a son of the late Isidoros and Anna (Moutafi) Frangakis. 

At the age of 21, after serving as a Merchant Marine he came to the United States to begin a new life in America. He came to live the American dream and with hard work he accomplished it. He was a very positive person whose upbeat personality just lit up any room he walked into. 

John started his restaurant career in Orange, N.J., and even worked at the Waldorf Astoria as a chef. 

In May of 1961, he married the true love of his life, Despina Vourlos. 

Soon after he established the DeLuxe Restaurant in 1963 at North 8th Street in Reading, PA. His dream was to own and operate a diner which was accomplished in 1982 on Lancaster Pike, Shillington, Pa. 

He enjoyed dabbling in real estate and one of his purchases was the Days Inn located in Shillington. Beyond all of his achievements, he enjoyed chanting in the Greek Orthodox church, especially at Easter. He enjoyed teaching history and the Orthodox religion to those who were interested in listening to him. 

He loved talking with his beloved customers and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of his greatest joys was taking his grandchildren back to his homeland and showing them all of the sites on the mainland and a cruise of the islands. 

He was also a member of the Gust C. Kraras Chapter No. 61, Order of AHEPA, and a lifetime member of the Masons and Rajah Shriners. John graciously hosted the local AHEPA chapter at his restaurant for meetings and other occasions.

John is survived by his wife of 63 years Despina Frangakis; a son, Isidoros Frangakis, husband of Cathern Faller of Mohnton. Anna (Frangakis) Burkman wife of Darryl Glenn Burkman of Sinking Spring, Two grandchildren Evangelia (Koutroulelis) Gregory wife of Benjamin Gregory, Bethlehem, Stelios Koutroulelis husband of Kaylee (Werner) Kenhorst. Also surviving in Greece are two siblings, a sister Zoe Sambarthes and a brother Stephanos Frangakis. Also surviving are two great-grandchildren, Alexandros Gregory and Ignatios Koutroulelis. 

The family would like to thank Kel Lee Ryan and Onika Trim for the excellent care they provided our beloved husband, father, and grandfather. Kel Lee Ryan gave excellent care for six years, even through COVID and other illnesses. Kel Lee was more than a caregiver; she accompanied John to all of the family celebrations. 

Viewing from Klee Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., One East Lancaster Ave., Shillington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, from 7:00-9:00 PM. Tresagion service at 8:30 PM. Additional viewing on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, from 10:00-11:00 AM followed by his funeral service at 11:00 AM from Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 1001 E. Wyomissing Blvd., Reading, PA 19611. Fr. Theodore Petrides, Proistamenos, will officiate. 

Entombment in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Exeter Township. In lieu of flowers, make contributions in John’s memory to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church at the above address.