Harry Panopoulos

Harry Panopoulos, of Milford NH, passed away peacefully on 11/30/21. Born on 6/9/34, Harry grew up in Amesbury MA and was the son of the late of Rena (Stamatakos) and James Panopoulos. As a young man, he worked for his father at the Puritan Fruit and Confectionary Store in Amesbury, alongside many friends from school. He was a natural athlete, excelling in football, baseball, and weightlifting, and was known as the “Golden Greek” on his high school teams. As a freshman, he was the fastest player on football the team. It was always with a sense of great pride that he recounted the 1951 Thanksgiving Football game in which Amesbury famously beat Newburyport in a 99-6 blowout. Harry continued his athletics on the football team at Bridgeton Academy, where he played with the semi-pro football team “The Argonauts”, and later as a football coach for Cardinal Cushing Academy. He was passionate about his love for the New England Patriots and Sunday afternoons during football season, were arguably his favorite day of the week. As an adult, Harry was a competitive weight lifter and he engaged in competitions well into his 40’s. It was always with chuckle that he recounted the rumor that circulated upon his arrival to Milford that he was a former Olympian. When clarifying this inaccuracy, it was not without noting his deadlift record of lifting close to 500 pounds.

Education was exceedingly important to him and he shared pride in his academic journey that took him from Bridgeton Academy, to Boston State College, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Education in 1958, to Northeastern University where he completed his academic career with a Master’s in Education in 1962. He was also a member of the Civil Air Patrol and National Guard for six years.

Harry was a lover of music and possessed a natural musical talent. He was a trumpeter in his high school band and he played with a group of musicians for school events. While on vacation at his grandparent’s home, his early morning practice sessions were much to the chagrin of the neighbors who couldn’t sleep late with the noise! His undergraduate friends referred to him as “the man with the horn” as he traveled his circle with his trumpet in tow. He was self taught on piano, exhibited a dramatic playing style that some say rivaled Liberace, and he took great delight in performing for audiences with his impressive interpretation on classical and modern pieces, most notably the theme song from “Evita”. In addition to music, Harry had a passion as a cartoonist. The walls of his parent’s garage was covered with his artwork, and his letters to his daughter Ann always included his cartoon drawings.

Harry and his wife Marion married in 1967 and shared 54 wonderful years together.

A lifelong educator, Harry began his career as a social studies teacher. He was a history teacher and the Director of Guidance at Cardinal Cushing Academy in West Newbury, and served as Vice President of the Northshore Guidance Director’s Association. In 1972, he assumed the position of Assistant Principal at Milford Middle School, a position he held until he retired in 1999. Referred to as “Mr. P”, Harry was known for his flamboyant neckties, his dramatic dismissal of the lunch tables, and the sense that being sent to his office for disciplinary reasons was worse in theory for students than in practice. He was beloved by students and staff, who respected him for his firm, but guiding approach to teaching, and he continued to be revered by students long after they left the building. After his retirement, he couldn’t quite give up education, and for many years, served on the faculty of Franklin Pierce College where he supervised student teachers in the graduate program.

Harry was a true intellectual and a successful family gathering was not complete without a lively debate on politics. A voracious reader with an inquisitive mind, his knowledge of history was astounding to behold. A question about a historical fact typically resulted in a lecture in various topics such as the Mesopotamian style of government, the story of the House of Romanov, or a nuanced portrayal of WWII, it’s meaning, complete with facts and anecdotes, with one hundred percent accuracy. He instilled this love of history in his daughter, who as an undergraduate history major, often consulted him for fact checking.

Harry was fiercely proud of his Greek heritage. He was a member of St. Philip’s Greek Orthodox Church in Nashua for thirty years, and for a period of time, served as President of the fraternal order of the AHEPA.

Harry was a loving and devoted husband, father, and uncle, and nothing fulfilled him more than being surrounded by his large extended family. In true Greek fashion he enjoyed his daily trips to local coffee shops where he delighted in connecting with former students and discussing politics and other topics.

Harry loved the ocean and he was a lifelong swimmer. He recalled with joy his job as a lifeguard at Salisbury Beach where the rigorous training in cold ocean waters was balanced by the pretty girls flocking to his chair. In later years, he enjoyed the winters he and his wife spent in Ft. Myers and Naples FLA.

Harry is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 54 years, Marion Panopoulos of Milford, and his daughter Ann Panopoulos, “his pride and joy”, and her husband James Martens of Melrose, MA. He is also survived by his sister E. Lorayne Tsoutsouras, sister in-laws Annette Labatte, Debbie Crocker and her husband Mark. Brothers in-law Edward Labatte and his wife Margaret-Anne, and Rene Labatte. His nieces Christine Georgoulakos and her husband James, Nicole Kardos and her husband Hank, and Holly Labatte. His nephews Jay Tsoutsouras and his wife Maryann, James Tsoutsouras and his wife Vickie, Eric Labatte and his wife Freya, Tim Labatte and his wife Jennifer, Troy Burrell and his wife Emi, and Tylor Crocker, as well as many grandnieces and nephews, cousins, as well as life long friends who will forever miss his larger than life presence.

Private funeral services will be held at St. Philip’s Greek Orthodox Church in Nashua. A public celebration of life will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Harry’s memory may be made to:

Saint Philip Greek Orthodox Church: 500 W. Hollis St, Nashua, NH 03062

Share Outreach: 1 Columbus Avenue, Milford, NH 03055, sharenh.org

Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.