Father John Androutsopoulos

The Very Reverend Father John Androutsopoulos, Protopresbyter, of New Kensington passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. Born on January 7, 1926 in the mountain village of Porovitsa, Peloponnesos, Greece, Fr. John completed his elementary education and graduated from high school in Akrata. In 1947, he entered the theological school of the University of Athens and obtained his Masters degree in Theology, thus fulfilling a calling he had since a young child to serve God. His studies were disrupted when in 1949, he was drafted to serve in the Greek Army during the Civil Ware against the communists. After his discharge, Fr. John continued his studies at the University and graduated in 1954. Faced with poverty and no opportunities in his homeland, Fr. John decided to move to America where his two brothers and an uncle had emigrated several years earlier. He settled in Lincoln, Ill, with his brother Pete and his Uncle Tony, who by this time had opened their own restaurant. He did what almost everyone from that generation did upon arrival in the States: worked in a restaurant. Fr. John studied English at the University of Illinois in Champagne, Ill. On November 20, 1960, Fr. John was ordained a Deacon at the Assumption Church in Chicago, Ill, and on June 18, 1961, he was ordained a priest at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Decatur, Ill. He always recalled the advice offered to him by the late Archbishop Iakovos upon his ordination as a Deacon: "Deacon John, Imitate your patron Saint - St. John the Baptist - and Preach the Truth." He was then assigned to begin his ministry at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in New Kensington on July 1, 1961. For 36 years, from 1961 until he retired in 1996, Fr. John served as Parish Priest of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in New Kensington. This was his first and only parish. He had offers to transfer to larger parishes, but he always declined, preferring to stay where he felt he was needed the most. Upon his retirement, he was welcomed to serve as a guest priest at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, now in McCandless, where his daughter's family attended and was able to serve in the altar with his two grandsons when they were young acolytes and two priests whom he loved and respected very much: Protopresbyter Fr. John Touloumes and Fr. Radu Bordeianu. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Presvytera Ethel Androutsopoulos, and his three children and their spouses: Kathy (married to Dr. Chris Balouris), Bill (married to Nicole Tratras) and Dino (married to Olga Farmakis). He so loved his grandchildren who provided him with so much joy and entertainment. He was so proud of them and loved them so much: Marielena, Antonios and Yanni Balouris and Yanni and Georgios Androutsopoulos. He will be in our hearts forever. Fr. John was an avid gardener with the brightest green thumb. His tomatoes were the talk of New Kensington and everything he planted grew to the heavens! Rows and rows of tomatoes, green beans, lettuce, onions and flowers planted in a perfectly straight line. Our belief is that he is pain free and planting his garden once again for all in Heaven to enjoy. Fr. John served two terms as President of the Orthodox Clergymen's Brotherhood and hosted a monthly sermon on the Greek radio station and submitted a monthly column for Holy Trinity's Herald. Fr. John ministered to so many in need. He loved his parishioners and they all became family. Because of his spirituality, he taught us humility, kindness and empathy to all. And…. a love of Steeler football. Sundays in the fall were spent praying in Church, and then hurrying home to watch Steeler football. Those were precious family times that created such wonderful memories and have been carried on through his children and grandchildren. His warmth, smile and big heart will never be forgotten. Visitation will be on Friday, July 19, from 3 - 8 p.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 985 Providence Boulevard, McCandless Twp. A Friday evening Priest's Trisagion service will begin at 6 p.m. On Saturday July 20th there will be an Orthoas service starting at 8:00 a.m. and the Devine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Arrangements by Simons Funeral Home. www.simonsfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity's Building Fund.

Father John Androutsopoulos

June 1, 1926 - July 17, 2019