Dr. Elias S. Adamopoulos

Dr. ELIAS S. ADAMOPOULOS

Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 7, 2004, at the Salisbury Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center. He had battled brain cancer for over one year.

Dr. Adamopoulos was born in Piraeus, Greece, on April 18, 1932, the first child of Stavros and Basiliki Adamopoulos. He placed first in his high school class, and graduated from the University of Athens Medical School in 1956. After medical school, Dr. Adamopoulos emigrated to the United States, where he completed a residency as an ear, nose, and throat surgeon at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He then pursued a teaching fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University Medical School. In 1962, he left Johns Hopkins to enter into private practice in Salisbury, Maryland, where he treated patients until his retirement in 1992. Dr. Adamopoulos remained active professionally throughout the rest of his life, focusing in his later years on the development of real estate on the Eastern Shore.

Dr. Adamopoulos was a founding member of the Eastern Shore's first Greek Orthodox community, and contributed greatly to the creation of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean City, Maryland. He was an active parish member for decades, and served as president of the Parish Council for five one-year terms (1991-1995). In addition, Dr. Adamopoulos contributed years of service to Greek philanthropic organizations, such as the Leadership 100. And in 1994, he was awarded the title of Archon by the Patriarch of Constantinople, one of the highest honors available to Greek Orthodox laymen.

In 2002, Dr. Adamopoulos was a recipient of the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor for distin- guished ethnic Americans. He was an active member of the Salisbury Lions Club for many years.

Dr. Adamopoulos was fondly regarded throughout the Eastern Shore, as a caring physician, a thoughtful businessman, and a generous friend. He was an avid traveler, who explored the world throughout his life, even into his seventies. His curiosity never waned, as he continually loved to read and discuss all areas of learned interest: history, science, politics, religion, and philosophy all fascinated him. Dr. Adamopoulos will be remembered by those who knew him as a person with a zest for life, an enthusiasm for learning, conversation, and company, and an exemplary dedication to his family and community.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Stella; his three sons, Stavros, Christos and Elias; his daughters-in-law, Robin and Nancy; his granddaughters, Elise and Kara, and a grandchild-to-be.

A funeral service will be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church on Monday, July 12, at 11:30 a.m. Father Vasilis Pentarides will officiate. Interment will be in the Wicomico Memorial Park in Salisbury. There will be visitations on Sunday, July 11, from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. at Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the deceased's name to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, the American Cancer Society, and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore Scholarship Fund of Dr. Elias Adamopoulos.

Arrangements are being handled by Holloway Funeral Home, 501 Snow Hill Rd., Salisbury, MD 21804. Visit www.delmarvaobits.com.