Lewis GERGOUDIS

GERGOUDIS, Col. Lewis, U.S. Army (retired), 93, of Richmond, Va., passed away peacefully on December 20, 2012. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Fannie Gergoudis; and is survived by his four children, Paul (Aspasia) Gergoudis of New York, Arthur (Sophia) Gergoudis, Patricia (Chris) Coureas of Virginia Beach and Rick (Elaine) Gergoudis; and his nine grandchildren, Dean Gergoudis, Luke Gergoudis, Christopher Coureas, Kellie Gergoudis, Stephanie Gergoudis, Thea Gergoudis, Franklin Gergoudis, Maria Gergoudis and Harry Alexander Coureas. Born April 11, 1919, in Passaic, N.J., Lew graduated from Emerson High School in 1938. He played the violin in the school orchestra, participated in athletics and was described by classmates as "cordial, fun-loving, and good-hearted." When war broke out in April of 1942 (and after his employer refused to give him a $1.00 raise), he volunteered as a private in the United States Army. During the war he was promoted initially to lieutenant and ultimately commanded a unit which was awarded Battle Participation Credit for the Southern Philippines Campaign. He also participated in the initial occupation of Japan. After the war, Lew remained in the active reserve and graduated from the Army Command and General Staff School in 1960. After 37 years of service to his country, he retired from the Army in 1979 with the rank of full Colonel. In addition to his country, Lew loved his family and his Greek Orthodox faith. He cherished his wife, his children and his church. He worked tirelessly to be able to educate his children and was proud to establish a scholarship fund for deserving students sponsored by the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. He was a devoted member, past president (during construction of the Cathedral in 1960), and a trustee of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Richmond. Lew was known to always welcome newcomers and documented many important events with an old-fashioned 8 mm movie camera. Lew was a self-made man and wore many "hats." He owned and operated a dry cleaning business, a furniture store and later became a licensed investment broker with Lombard Securities. Even in an intensely competitive work place, younger colleagues were inspired by Lew's sensibility and unyielding willingness to lend a helping hand. Always true to his Yankee roots, Lew would often joke that after meeting "the prettiest girl in Richmond," he would remain in the South, "temporarily," for 68 years. Lew and his wife, Fannie, became one, especially since she never learned to drive, and they were rarely seen apart. Although a commander in the military, he remained a personal chauffeur at home. Lew will be remembered for his courage in the midst of adversity, his self-reliance when the odds were against him, a quiet fortitude and unconditional love for country, church and family. A funeral service with full military honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Burial will follow at Westhampton Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lewis and Fannie Gergoudis Scholarship Fund, c/o Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Malvern Ave., Richmond, Va. 23221.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.