Andrew Spyrou Obituary

Spyrou, Andrew G.
Dr. Andrew G. Spyrou, 95, of Greenwich, Connecticut and Skiathos, Greece, passed away October 12th surrounded by family. He was born on the island of Syros, in Greece, in a family of seafarers. In 1939, his outstanding academic achievements at the Maritime College in Greece earned him a Greek Government-three-year-scholarship at The Royal Technical College in Glasgow, Scotland – now The University of Strathclyde.
He was a Naval Architect and Maritime Engineer, and a founding member of the Institution of Nuclear Engineers in London.
In 1944, Dr. Spyrou joined Lloyd's Register of Shipping as a Field Ship Surveyor in the Clyde District of Scotland.
In 1951, Dr. Spyrou joined the Aristotle S. Onassis Organization as Technical Representative, serving in Europe, the United States and the Far East, and was, for twenty-two years (1960-1982), the Technical Director of the Onassis Group of Companies, in Europe and the USA. In this role he was responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of the world's largest privately owned fleet of tankers and bulk carriers with a tonnage in excess of six million tons deadweight, including the design for the one million ton oil tanker. The ships were built in Europe, the United States and Japan. In 1959, Dr. Spyrou was responsible for the design of the first tanker in excess of 100,000 DWT (later named s/s Manhattan), built at the Bethlehem Steel Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts.
He was involved in the design and construction of the Onassis yacht "CHRISTINA", as well as the yacht "DELLA GRAZIA", on which Princess Diana of Wales sailed.
Dr. Spyrou retired from active duty with the A. S. Onassis Organization in 1982, and fully devoted his efforts to the research and presentation of his first book, entitled Energy and Ships, which was published in 1988 by Lloyd's of London Press. He authored a second book, published in the USA in 2006, entitled From T-2 to Supertanker, and a third book in 2010, entitled Global Climate Change and the Shipping Industry.
Dr. Spyrou was predeceased by his wife, Anne (Nan) Rankin Spyrou, and his son, George Andrew Rankin Spyrou. He is survived by his son, Alexander Spyrou, and his five grandchildren, Peter, Andrew, Isabella, John and Nicholas.
He will be sorely missed for his indomitable spirit and love of life.
A funeral service will be held at 5:00 PM on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 954 Lake Avenue, Greenwich, CT. To leave an online condolence please visit www.leopgallaghergreenwich.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Stamford Advocate & Greenwich Time on Oct. 15, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Andrew Spyrou

7 Entries

Afroditi Feredinou

October 9, 2022

Fondly remembering Dr. Andrew Spyrou, shining beacon for the future generations that deal with the shipping industry. RIP and good health for all his descendants.

Hylke Meiners

September 19, 2016

We treasure our memories after visiting Dr. Spyrou in july 2013. He invited us in his Skiathos home, when my wife, my three year old daugther and I were searching for a place to sleep. We stayed there for 5 wonderful days, shared dinner and had inspiring conversations. We remember Dr. Spyrou as an intelligent, interesting, warm and hospitable person, who we will never forget.

Afroditi Feredinou

May 2, 2016

On behalf of the Hellenic Alumni Association, we would like to express our deepest condolences on the loss of Dr. Andrew Spyrou. He will be fondly remembered as a shining legacy for all future generations in Greece, serving as an example to our children. Our sympathy to the family and RIP for him. Afroditi Feredinou, Directot University of Strathclyde Greek Branch, Treasurer Hellenic Alumni Association.

Preben Sejer Kristensen

October 22, 2015

To the very end of his fascinating and full life, Andrew was always ahead of his time. A gentleman scholar, a researcher and always a deeply knowledgeable visionary, I was drawn to him from the first time I met him. He was a unique human being, who involuntarily made the world a poorer place by leaving us. Luckily so much of his spirit and shared knowledge lives on.

Gary Wilson

October 20, 2015

I am so sorry to hear of Andy's passing. He was a great friend of my late Father, Charles W. Wilson, who was head of Marine Sales at Babcock & Wilcox and very active in the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME)

Andy and Nan were gracious hosts when Jill and I visited them during our honeymoon in Monte Carlo in November, 1976.

A true gentleman who will be missed.

DR, KHAIRKHAH'S STAFF

October 15, 2015

TO THE SPYROU FAMILY : DR. KHAIRKHAH AND STAFF SEND OUR SINCERE SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY. DR. SPYROU WAS A TRUE GENTLEMAN AND A VERY SPECIAL PERSON. WE WILL ALL MISS HIM AND OUR SINCERE THOUGHTS WILL BE WITH YOU THROUGH THIS LOSS.

October 14, 2015

To the Spyrou family: it was a great privilege to be Mr. Andrew Spyrou's cardiologist for more than 25 years. He was a patient who sparkled with intelligence, and exuded graciousness that is rarely seen in the same individual. He was always well informed and kept me on my toes with his probing questions. However he was meticulous in carrying out his medical regimens. I will never forget him nor his legacy.

For a part of the time that I knew him I also had the privilege of caring for his wonderful wife Ann. She was a genuine caring individual. I miss them both.
Lawrence Cohen M.D.

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