Theodore James Athanasakes' Obituary
ATHANASAKES, Theodore J.
Theodore “Ted” J. Athanasakes, 88, of Ocean Ridge, Florida, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2017, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Ted is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Mary Athanasakes, his sisters, Theda Dennison and Evelyn Hagias, his brother, George Athanasakes, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Helen Gianakakis, and his son, Demetri Athanasakes.
In 1953, Ted married the love of his life, Mary Athanasakes. In 1960, Ted graduated from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science degree in math and physics. He was a registered professional engineer (electrical) in the states of Ohio and Florida. In 1952, Ted joined the General Electric Large Jet Engine Department, Ohio, as an Engineering Assistant and became Supervisor of Development Test Instrumentation Operations in 1958. During 1963 to 1967, he was a Project Engineer for the installation and acceptance of project Apollo spacecraft ground support equipment, General Electric, Daytona Beach, Florida.
In 1967 he joined the Department of the Navy, Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC), Andros Island, Bahamas, as Range Program Manager for the MK48 torpedo program. In 1974, he was promoted to Head of Program Management Branch, and in this position, he actively promoted the use of instrumented underwater ranges to support both the research, development, test, and evaluation programs and fleet readiness assessment in the area of anti-submarine warfare. In 1988 he was again promoted as the Division Manager, managing the operations of AUTEC until 2000 when he retired. During his Federal Government career, Ted received numerous awards and recommendations. These included the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award and a Special Achievement Award in Management Excellence.
When he wasn’t working, Ted dedicated his time to his beloved church, Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, West Palm Beach, Florida. In 1976, he initiated the annual St. Catherine’s Greek festival and served as the festival’s chairman many times. He served numerous terms on the Parish Council of Saint Catherine and held the position of President many times, including during the planning and building of Saint Catherine’s Hellenic Cultural Center in 1979.
One of the greatest gifts that Ted gave to the church was his love of dance and music. In 1986, he became the advisor to Saint Catherine’s Heart of Greece dance group, which at times, had over 50 children. He researched Greek music and produced recordings to which the dancers performed. He traveled with and chaperoned the dancers on countless performances throughout the United States, encouraging the youth to stay connected with the Greek Orthodox Christian faith and to keep the Greek culture alive. Ted was a dedicated, enthusiastic, caring role model for the children of Saint Catherine’s and always offered support, encouragement, and fun.
In 2001, Ted was appointed to the Atlanta Diocese Hellenic Dance Festival by the Metropolitan Alexios as the Southern Conference Coordinator, and in 2005, he was appointed “Ambassador” of the Florida Southeast Conference by His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta.
In 2009, Ted was invested as an Archon by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his outstanding service and commitment to the Church and the community as a whole and as a well-known, well-respected leader of the Orthodox Christian Community.
Ted touched the lives of many people, he was a man of great kindness and affection, and his constant drive to help others was admirable. He loved spending time with family and friends. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Monday, December 4, 2017, at Palm Beach Memorial Funeral Home, 3691 Seacrest Boulevard, Lantana, FL 33462, where a Trisagion will be held at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, 110 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL, the Rev. Andrew Maginas celebrant. The burial will follow at Palm Beach Memorial Mausoleum, 3691 Seacrest Boulevard, Lantana, FL 33462. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send a donation or gift in Ted’s honor to Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church.
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