William C. Pappas, 91, of Monroe, Passed Away

MONROE, CT — William C. Pappas, age 91, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 in his Monroe residence. He was born in Newark, NJ but was a resident of Bridgeport and Monroe, CT. Bill was the son of the late Christ and Evangeline Pappas, both born in Macedonia, Greece.

He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy (Mercurio) Pappas, survived by his beloved son William Pappas, daughter Melissa Pappas and grandchild Zachary Odermatt. Bill has one brother, Nicholas and his wife Dorothy (Demont) Pappas and several nieces and nephews.William and his wife Dorothy were married for 61 years. Bill served in the U.S. Navy during WWII from December 1942 to March 1946. He was stationed aboard the Destroyer Escort Henry R. Kenyon. He saw service as Machinist Mate First Class in the North Atlantic, Caribbean, Cuba and Mediterranean Sea before going to the Pacific Theater of War in late 1944.

He was a devoted member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Bridgeport, CT for over 72 years. During these years he served on the Church Board as President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. He also served on the Building Fund Committee as President, Vice President and Secretary.

He was also Chairman of the Interior Committee and led many development and beautification projects for the church. Including large projects such as the 14th Century Byzantine Iconography Beautification Project and the Marble Applications. The results of these large beautification projects are enjoyed by all who enter the Church today.Bill was elevated as an Archon of the Order of St. Andrew by his Eminence Archbishop Lakovos in 1976. This is a significant honor only bestowed on a select few in the Orthodox Community. Bill was a graduate of Boston University, Class of 1951.

He was employed at Avco and Textron Lycoming for 36 years and retired in 1989. Bill also served on the Monroe Board of Education for 12 years with 10 years as their chairman. Calling hours will take place on Monday, December 26, 2016 from 9:45 to 11am in Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave. Bridgeport, followed by services at 11 a.m. with Fr. Georgios Livaditis Presbyter officiating in the church. Interment will take place on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 11:45 a.m. in St. John's Cemetery, Stratford, with full military honors.

The Commerce Hill Funeral Home, 4798 Main St., Bridgeport, has been entrusted with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in memory of William.