Dr. Gus Constantine

1923 - 2015

Dr. Gus A. Constantine, age 92, a Naperville, IL resident since 1960, died on Sunday, September 6, 2015 in Naperville not far from the North Central College campus where he taught for over 30 years. He was born July 19, 1923 in Harvey, ND. Beloved husband of the late Julia Gliarmis Constantine, whom he married April 28, 1946 at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Wilson, NC and who preceded him in death on March 28, 2001, loving father of Andrea (John) Wassel of Oak Brook, IL and Andrew Constantine II of Jersey City, NJ, adored grandfather of Bill (Tracey) Collins and George Wassel, cherished great-grandfather of Anthony and William Collins, devoted son of the late Andrew and Calliope Constantine, dear brother of Harry (Phoebe) Constantine of Chicago, IL, Gloria (Tom) Pappas of Washington state and the late Lily (the late John) Anagnost, fond uncle, great-uncle and friend to many. Gus was born in North Dakota, the son of Greek immigrants, and moved to Chicago as an infant. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and later earned a B.A. from Atlantic Christian College, Wilson, NC in 1950; an M.A. from East Carolina College, Greenville, NC in 1952 and a Doctor of Education from Duke University, Durham, NC in 1958. In 1960, Gus and his family moved to Naperville after he accepted a professorship at North Central College (NCC) in Naperville and his wife, Julia accepted an offer to chair the social studies department at Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville. Gus was Professor of Education Emeritus at NCC from 1960-1986 and also served Dean of the Night School, retiring in 1992. Gus loved North Central College, wore his NCC baseball hat until the very end and was adored by his students. In a long and accomplished career, he was one of the first professors to go to Cuba to study the Cuban educational system and especially enjoyed taking student groups abroad to visit Greece, Israel and the Soviet Union among many other countries. He was also proud to meet Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King when he came to speak at NCC in 1961. Gus was a member and former president (1993) of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a Greek organization that promotes Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence. At the same time, Gus' wife, Julia, was a member and Grand President of the Daughters of Penelope, AHEPA's affiliate women's organization. Gus and Julia were founding members of St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Aurora, IL. Visitation Friday, September 11, 4:00-8:00 P.M. at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St, Naperville, with Trisagion Services at 5:00 PM. Funeral Services Saturday, September 12, 10:00 AM at St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, 1855 5th Ave., Aurora, IL with Fr. Peter J. Spiro officiating. Interment: Elmwood Cemetery, River Grove, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials to: Wilson Soup Kitchen, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box #2091, Wilson, NC 27894, (252) 292-8019. For more information, please visit www.friedrich-jones.com or call (630) 355-0213.