BOSTON – Arthur Anton, prominent businessman, philanthropist, great benefactor of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and one of the founding members of the Leadership 100 fell asleep in the Lord in Lowell, MA at the age of 95. He was extremely active in the affairs of the Church and as recently as two years ago in July of 2018 he served as honorary chairman of the Clergy-Laity Congress of the Archdiocese in Boston despite his advanced age.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America issued following News Release:

“His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros notes with great sadness and with equal appreciation and gratitude the life and legacy of Archon Depoutatos Arthur C. Anton, Sr. who fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, July 26, 2020. The Founder and former Chairman of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund was legendary in the life of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, inasmuch as he served the Church so faithfully for his entire life. He was also a recipient of the Ellis Island Award in 2005.”

Archbishop Elpidophoros spoke on the passing of this extraordinary Churchman:

 “We have lost a true lion of the faith and an exemplar of all that is best in Hellenism and Orthodoxy. Arthur C. Anton, Sr. was not only an extraordinary Defender of Orthodoxy and the Ecumenical Throne, he was a great benefactor of our Holy Archdiocese for all his many years. His gifts are too many to enumerate, but it must be said that he stands among the very few who gave of themselves with a joy and devotion that is so very pleasing to the Lord. He joins his beloved wife Madeline now in the reward of the good and faithful servants that they were in every aspect of their lives. May their memory be eternal, and may their family and innumerable friends find good comfort in the knowledge of such lives so well lived in before God and man.”

The late Arthur Anton was born in Lowell, MA on July 8, 1925, to Charles and Paula Antonopoulos, first-generation Greek immigrants to America. He was valedictorian of the class of 1943 at Lowell High School and served in the US Army during World War II.

Married to Madeline Kanavos in 1951, they have four children and ten grandchildren.

He entered the family business, Anton’s Cleaners, in 1950 which his father founded in 1913.

His funeral and burial took place in Lowell Cemetery in a private Service due to Coronavirus pandemic.