NEW YORK – Rev. Fr. Milton Nicholas Stamatos of New York died peacefully on July 4, at the age of 99, having lived a lifetime defined by family, love, passion, and faith. He was the youngest son of Nicholas and Katina Stamatos, who both immigrated from Greece, and was born and raised with his four siblings in Boston, Massachusetts.

Fr. Milton lived a full life as husband, father, grandfather, pharmacist, executive in the pharmaceutical industry, volunteer Greek Orthodox lay priest, World War II veteran, and friend and mentor to many.

Fr. Milton was a graduate of Boston Latin and Harvard University and received his Pharmacy degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. While at Harvard, he was drafted into the United States Army during World War II and served in the Medical Corp as senior laboratory technician at a General Field Hospital in France. Upon the end of the war, he returned to Harvard and completed his education.

In 1952, Fr. Milton married Poppy Gomatos and they raised three children, Cathryn, Nicholas, and John. Fr. Milton was active in the Greek Orthodox Church throughout his life and served as altar boy and president of the Parish Council at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Boston. Fr. Milton was ordained in 1970 by Archbishop Iakovos as the first lay priest in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, one of the greatest honors of his life.

He was instrumental in founding St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Wycoff, New Jersey, and served as the church’s priest during the initial years. In addition, he volunteered his services to numerous churches in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, especially the Church of the Holy Resurrection in Brookville, New York.

He began his professional career as a practicing pharmacist and then joined Mckesson and Robbins. In time, he moved to Hoffman-LaRoche where he served as Director of Customer Affairs and Distributor Services for 25 years. He valued that role at Roche, where he was fondly appreciated as a leader and mentor.

Fr. Milton was married to Presvytera Poppy for 71 years, and they had unwavering love for each other and their entire family. Fr. Milton loved his children and grandchildren – teaching them lessons of life and supporting them in all their activities. Given the fullness of his life and his great sense of humor, he had lots to teach them. He enjoyed spending time with his whole family on the beaches of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Fort Lauderdale. He loved musicals – in particular ‘Man of LaMancha,’ ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ and ‘West Side Story,’ productions that contained songs that he loved to sing, even up to the final days of his life. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and New York Giants and enjoyed following the Yankees in later years.

He is survived by his wife Poppy, children Cathryn (George), Nicholas (Cleo), John (Christine), grandchildren Maria, Nicholas, Anna, and Michael, and by many nieces and nephews.

Divine Liturgy will begin at 9 AM and the Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM at the Chapel of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, 50 Goddard Avenue in Brookline, Massachusetts, on Friday, July 12. Visitation will take place prior to the Funeral Service from 10:30-11 AM at the Chapel.

Interment will be at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

May his memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in memory of Fr. Milton to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Resurrection. To make a Memorial Donation in memory of Fr. Milton, click here: https://shorturl.at/PJWr4.