Anthony C Economou

Anthony C. Economou, 94, passed away on January 13, 2022.

Anthony was blessed with a long and productive life. Devoted to family, friends, and community, his intellect and energy found expression through tireless service to his church, educational projects, and to causes close to Greece.

Anthony was born in Akron, Ohio on March 17, 1927. When he was five years old his family moved back to Greece, where he attended a prestigious boys’ school in Thessaloniki and studied Music at the National Conservatory of Music. At age 18 Anthony left war-torn Greece and returned to the US aboard the US Liberty, violin in hand, and became the first student from Greece to enroll in the University of Akron. While there he studied Business Administration, managed the Akron Zips basketball team, became a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, and played violin with the Akron Symphony Orchestra. After graduation he worked in the family business, handling sales, and serving as Vice President and Treasurer of the Pearl Coffee Company.

Anthony was active in numerous community and church organizations. At age 20 he served as Secretary of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron and established the practice of recording minutes of meetings in English. He was elected President of the Church’s Board of Trustees in 1972, authored the new general Church Constitution, and established the annual Easter Dinner at the church hall. Anthony also established the American Hellenic A Capella Male Chorus of Akron, performing in over 100 appearances across US and Canada. His numerous contributions to Greek causes include acting as the official spokesperson for Pan Macedonian Association and Chairman of the organization’s National Issues Committee, and furthering educational causes through establishing and organizing the first Spelling Bee of Greece, which continues annually to the present.

After retirement Anthony spent time traveling extensively with his wife Demetra. He was an avid reader with a voracious appetite for knowledge and a love of playing bridge, backgammon, and working crossword puzzles. Anthony is preceded in death by his son Chris Economou and sister Catherine Fygetakis. He is survived by his beloved wife Demetra, daughter Anna and her husband Michael Clarke, grandsons Zachary and Alexander Anthony Clarke, brother-in-law Tom Bouzas, and broad extended family in the US and Greece.

Anthony’s family and friends will forever cherish the memory of his keen intellect, delightful wit, and generous spirit.

Services will be held 11 a.m. MONDAY January 31 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church with Rev. Fr. Jerry Hall officiating. Interment at Rose Hill Burial Park. Friends may call 3-5 p.m. SUNDAY at Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 Miller Rd., Akron, 44333. Trisagion at 4 p.m. Contributions may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union St., Akron, Ohio 44304.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333.

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