Alexander Koskinas

KOSKINAS, ALEXANDER Alexander (Alexandros) Koskinas, 75, of West Haven, beloved husband of Edith R. (Gohlke) Koskinas, passed away September 15, 2012, in Acharnes, Greece. Alexander was born on March 18, 1937, in Kouramades, Corfu (Kerkyra), Greece, a son of the late Arsenios Koskinas and Polyxeni (Gramenos) Koskinas. He was a resident of West Haven for over forty years but divided his later years between his home town and Acharnes. He enjoyed life's simple pleasures including time with family and friends, dancing, gardening and making his own wine, olive oil and dried figs, and engaging his Greek compatriots in discussions on politics and history. He loved the ocean, often swimming at Rocky Neck State Park and Ocean Beach or in the warm Mediterranean Sea. His incessant curiosity and desire for accomplishment led him to complete his secondary education in 1978 at West Haven High School. He also enjoyed seeing family and friends abroad, traveling to Canada, Greece and Germany, and visiting historical sites along the way. Alexander, affectionately called "the Greek" by his friends, above all, loved to extend a helping hand to family and friends, new and old. His altruism was boundless, as was his affection toward children. His joyful presence was felt at every gathering, and he never missed an opportunity to learn and impart his own knowledge and experience. Alexander served 13 years in the Greek Royal Navy as Petty Officer, where he received his engineering certificates in diesel mechanics. On April 30, 1961, in Ilion, Greece, he was united in marriage to Edith R. (Gohlke). Prior to his retirement, he was employed as a diesel mechanic at Amtrak and was a member of the International Association of Machinists. Alexander is survived by his wife of 51 years Edith Koskinas, of West Haven, his son, Alexander A. Koskinas, of West Hartford, his sisters-in-law, Ourania Koskinas, of Andravida, Greece, and Angeliki Koskinas, of Ilion, Greece, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his three brothers, Nikolaos Koskinas and Konstantinos Koskinas, of Ilion, Greece, and Yiannis Koskinas, of Andravida, Greece, as well as his sister-in-law, Elpiniki Koskinas, of Ilion, Greece. His family received relatives and friends in the Karadimas Funeral Home, in St. Anargyroi, Greece, on Monday, September 17. Gifts in his memory may be sent to the Hellenic Cardiac Fund for Children c/o Children's Hospital, 1 Autumn Street #731, Boston, MA 02215.