+Fr. George Papadeas

The Very Reverend Father George Papadeas  93, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, November 18, 2011 in Daytona Beach, FL.

In 1942, Father George became the Very First American Born Greek Orthodox Clergyman to be Ordained into the Priesthood. He was also the longest actively working Priest of his Faith serving continuously for over 69 Years. Fr. Papadeas was instrumental in the development and growth of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. He also founded and served many Parishes.

Fr. George served at St. Demetrios in Daytona Beach from 1975 to 1983 and along with parishioner Irene Koutouzis started the First Daytona Greek Festival in 1975. Up until this summer, Fr. George was still driving himself round trip  to Ocala weekly to serve at St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church where he was also the Founding Priest. Fr George’s accomplishments are too vast to list. For more information Visit Fr. George’s Bio Here.

Fr. George was predeceased by his loving wife of 62 Years, Presvytera Bess. They leave behind five loving children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A visitation with a Trisagion service for Fr. George Papadeas will be held on Monday, November 28th, 2011 from 5pm to 8pm at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 129 N. Halifax,  Daytona Beach, Florida. Funeral Service will be on November 29th , 2011 beginning with Orthros at 9am followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10am and the Funeral Service at 1pm.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church, PO Box 5871, Ocala, FL 33478

In Memory of Father George Papadeas

Dear Lee, Dean, Kukla, Paul and Tim:

Betty and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of your beloved Father. Your dad was always special to me in that my relationship with him commenced in a manner that I can only remember through pictures and that would be when he baptized me at St Paul's in New York decades ago.

Regrettably, in recent years I lost touch; but the memories of St. Paul's, Ionian Village, and St. Demetrios will endure.

May the MOST HIGH say to him "well done my faithful servant!"   

Very best wishes,

Peter Kouracos


TIM, My thoughts n prayers are with at this time.

Lenny Isenberg


I had the honor and privilege to be part of Father George's life, fist through the Summer Cultural Tour of 1961 and later the first two years of the Ionian Village Summer Camp. Father George had the ability to build enormous communities through his charismatic and loving presence. When he performed the Divine Liturgy, he uplifted all of us into the Heavens in communion with God, as he was truly a holy man. His loss will be felt on a global scale. My condolences to Kookla, Paul, Lee, Tim and Dean and to your respective families.

Annee Spileos Scott


Dear Angela, This site is a wonderful tribute to your Dad. He was a dedicated and spiritual leader of the Church. We as PK's know our Dads as 'just our Dad' and that is what in my opinion, gave us a beautiful childhood. Your Dad and mine were together at Pomfret and my parents came to Miami in 1944 with the Model T Ford that your Dad gave to them. It had a hole in the roof and when it rained, they had to hold an umbrella not to get soaked. Parishoners here at Saint Sophia still remember that! Your Dad visited my Dad as he was passing and they both had tears in their eyes. My sincere sympathy to you and all your family in your time of sorrow. Fr. George's spirit will live on with the memories of his parishoners and you will find comfort in people sharing their feelings about their special priest. Zoi se sas.

Love,
Evangeline Mekras Scurtis


THANK YOU FOR YOUR MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHURCH AND MANY PEOPLES LIVES. REST IN PEACE FATHER

Thomas Guzzo


Deepest sympathy to the Papadeas family.We were saddened to hear that Father George passed away.Father married us in 1954 at Saint Pauls in Hempstead NY. We lost touch with Father George for many years, but in 2004, because we moved to Daytona Beach,we met again.It was wonderful remembering the past together.It was great having Father a part of our life again.May Eternal Be His Memory.

Frank & Sophia Guzzo


I Met Father George for the first time at the cemetery where my wife is resting in peace and so is his He made lasting impression and I am proud to have known him,Especial we both or ancestor came from a very proud and brave people called MANIATES. God for sure has a place for Father george Papadeas.EONIA TOU I MNIMI.

Michael Lucacos


Fr. George I thank you very much for your work that you did for Greek Orthodox in the Diaspora. Your Holy Week books were a blessing to thousands of us and used all across North America including in my home parish of Evangelismos in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and even in Sts. Nicholas and Dimitrios in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Your "Basilopita" coins were an inspiration and a joy to all those who would win at the Basilopita including myself! Αs the French would say, I wish you "Bon Paradis"

Fr. Panagiotis Pavlakos Evangelismos Tis Theotokou,
Montreal, QC


St. Basil the Great said "He who plants kindness gathers love" and so Rev. George Papadeas did just that for 93 years. I am honored to have met and shared time with this man of God who rests now in peace in heaven

Lucy Tobias


Dear Nona, It was very sad to hear of your father's passing. He was an amazing and beautiful person. So many good thoughts come to mind when I think of him. My family was blessed to have known him. Our deepest sympathies from the Remboulis family. May his memory be eternal, God Bless.

With Love,
Michael Remboulis


Dear Koo, Tim, Lee, Dean+ Paul, You all know how much I loved your Dad. We all shared so many great times...there aren't any childhood memories without your Dad and Thea Bessie and you all. They were both Mommy's pillars of strength, along with Thea Mary. They gave to all of us that special chord that still ties us all together and I know Nick feels the same way. I'm so glad my George got to meet my Theo George and Thea Bessie over 17 years ago when we were on our honeymoon to Florida......he knows it was like meeting my own. A wonderful man left a wonderful legacy.....uparalled. I loved him so very much. May He rest in peace.....with his sweet Bessie now

Much love,
Helen and George


Fr George brought relegion to my German wife who loved him dearly and was Chrismated Sophia by him. I returned to my Orthodoxy after many years of absence. We loved him dearly and will miss him greatly.

John Alexander


It is so difficult to put into words what Father George meant to me. He was a perfect example of "Christ on earth", and he was so very humble about all he accomplished over the years as a priest. I know he is watching over us all and making sure that we continue to live life properly. May his memory be eternal!

Steve Kirman


One story I would like to share is the time that Fatherspent the night at our house. We were able to just sit around and talk. I am soglad that I had the opportunity to hear first hand many stories of Fathers yearsas a priest, his travels etc. I feel blessed to have known Father George, attendedservices held by him, to have served with him during a few services and to haveserved on the parish council which allowed for many discussions. He was an amazing man, a truly Holy man, so humble for allthat he had accomplished and the many lives he touched…. I will miss him. May hismemory be eternal!

George Arvanitis
St. Marks, Belleview FL


It is more than 50's years since I have seen Father Papadeas....but I remember him with a smile in my heart. He was the priest who performed my wedding ceremony to John Sideris ( son of Steve and Olga Sideris of Rockville Centre NY) . My new in-laws to be were very active in St. Paul's and good friends with Bessie and George. Father George must have been a great and wise support for them as they were not happy their John was not marrying a Greek girl..we were the Big Fat Greek Wedding couple for sure...but he gently and calmly walked us through it ... and he must have done a lasting job as the marriage lasted 52 years to the day !! We know he is with the Light of the world.. and his loved ones there ... and I wish his family blessings and assurances from our Lord.. with thankfulness and very fond memories...

Gay Sideris


I was in the second group of the first year of the Ionian Village and Father Papadeas was an integral part of my becoming so very aware of how important it is to love the Lord and remember our heritage - I have never forgotten his kindness = he baptised me in the Orthodox faith when we returned from Greece and I have been with the church for the past 45 years - may his memory be eternal and best wishes to the family, especially Kukla

Thomas Harris
Lanaster, California


Our sincere condolenses to the family. We have long and enduring memories of our years of friendship and guidance with Fr. George. We treasure these memories. May he rest in eternal peace in God's Care.

Chris and Elsie Brous
Farmington, CT


from this life to the everlasting peace and glory of Christ's Kingdom. We are forever in his debt, for our first steps in service to the Church were taken under his loving guidance and care. We have never forgotten the love with which he and his beloved Presvytera Bess embraced us, encouraged us and made it possible for us to offer ourselves, as they did, wholeheartedly to our Church. We thank God for the beautiful memories of our time with Fr. George at the Cathedral and shall forever be sustained in life by them. May he and his beloved Presvytera rest peacefully. May their memory be eternal!

-Fr. George and Joanna Alexson
Ashburn, VA


Father Papadeas was a man of great moral and intellectual stature and we shall miss him in these trying days. We share in sympathy with his family and friends.

-Tasos Anton and Family
Arlington, VA


I grew up going to Fr. George's home in Long Island. He had always been an inspiration and a wonderful guide to life. When I had lived in Orlando, I used to make the trek to Inverness for Sunday services, just to have my children hear him the way I did as a child. Many thanks for all you have done and given Father, eternal be your well earned rest.

Demetria Cocheres Grieve