ASTORIA – The final farewell to the long-time president of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York Petros Galatoulas was attended by relatives, friends, members of the Greek community organizations, and ordinary members of the Greek-American community, at St. Catherine and St. George Church in Astoria on May 26.

A final viewing was held at 11 AM in the church with the Greek flag and the banner of the Federation by the coffin. Many could not believe that a person who left such a deep imprint on the community had passed away.

The funeral service was presided over by Archimandrite Fr. Vasileios Drosos, assisted by Fr. Chrysostom Panos, Fr. Gregory Stamkopoulos, Fr. Nikiforos Fakinos, Fr. Vasileios Tsourlis, Fr. Vasilios Louros, Fr. Nicholas Paros, and Fr. George Kazoulis.

Fr. Fakinos from St. Demetrios in Merrick, who knew Petros Galatoulas and his family, spoke very warmly about him. Then, the most moving moment was when Galatoulas’ daughter Despina spoke, praising her father as a person, a Greek, and the head of the family.

“You always told us about the heroes of Greece. In our eyes, you were a great hero and we will not forget you,” she said, moving many of those present with her words.

In his letter of condolence, U.S. Ambassador to Athens George Tsounis stated, among other things, that “we had a strong bond as we shared the same values. He was a pillar of the Greek-American community and a notable man.”

At the same time, the representative of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Fr. Vasilios Drosos, read His Eminence’s condolence message to the family and friends of the former president of the Federation. Former politicians Spilios Spiliotopoulos and Christos Zois, author Savvas Kalenteridis, and others sent messages of condolence.

Among those present at the funeral to pay their respects were Atlantic Bank President Nancy Papaioannou, advisor to the publishers of The National Herald Antonis H. Diamataris, Eleni and John Psaras, co-chairs of the Parade Committee Nikos Bardis and Dimitrios Kalamaras, Federation Public Relations director George Georgopoulos, Federation of Cypriot-American Organizations President Kyriacos Papastylianou, PSEKA President Philip Christopher, Nikos Diamantidis, Anastasios Karagounis, former president of the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of Philadelphia and Greater Delaware Valley Stathis Karadonis, and members of the New York Federation including Timoleon Kakouros, Nikos Vellios, Spiros Pirgiotis, Anna Notis, and Dimitris Filios. Cleanthis Meimaroglou, former president of the Federation, also paid his respects.