Lester John Theophilakos' Obituary
Lester John Theophilakos, formerly of Gaylordsville, CT passed away on Saturday, July 4th, 2015. He was 87 years old. Born in Perth Amboy, NJ; he resided in Charlotte, NC this past year. He married Mildred Fredrickson in February of 1952. “Theo” graduated from Purdue University where he was on a tri-scholarship for football, basketball and track. Excelling in the discus throw, he narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympic team due to the 1948 U.S. war abdication. He further studied at Rutgers University for his Master’s in Education. Subsequently, he joined the US Air Force where he served during wartime in the Korean Conflict receiving the Commendation Medal for valor and later, the Meritorious Service Medal. After 20 years of military service and achieving the rank of Major, he retired from the USAF. He then went on to work as Regional Health Administrator for the United States Health and Human Services in New York City for over 30 years in civil service before retiring in 2004.
He was predeceased by his two sisters Catherine Kolias and Connie Nicholas; five brothers, Angelo, Timothy, George, Dino, and Bill Theophilakos. He is survived by wife Mildred L. Theophilakos formerly of California; daughter, Vel Josa and her husband John; sons John Theo and James Theophilakos; and three grandchildren, Brittany, Brooke and Matthew Josa.
Funeral will take place on July 13th, 2015 at Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury, NC at 2pm with full military honors. James Funeral Home of Huntersville, NC is assisting the family and online condolences can be sent to www.JamesFuneralHomeLKN.com. Memorial contributions can be made to Wounded Warrior Project or Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Perth Amboy, NJ.
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