FLORENCE, SC – Andrew G. Kampiziones was born to George and Stavroula Kampiziones in Lamia, Greece on November 19, 1931, and died on February 20, 2023. Despite growing up during the hardships of World War II and the ‘Enphilio’ – the Greek Civil War – he successfully pursued his education, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a BA degree in Education from the Pedagogical Academy in Lamia. He taught for a few years before he was drafted, serving his country as Second Lieutenant. In 1956, he married his love, Eula (Paula) Hondros and moved to America, eventually settling in New York City. He worked in the banking industry and earned his second degree from Queens College of CUNY with a BA degree in Economics before finally settling in Florence, SC.

Andrew had a deep appreciation and respect for his new country and the many opportunities afforded to him. He quickly became involved in all areas, giving back to the Community. He was active in his church and Greek community from the local to national level, including member of the church choir, chanter, Sunday school and Greek school teacher, as well as president of the local chapter of AHEPA, the Evrytanian Association of America (the Velouchi), and the League of Greek Orthodox Stewards (LOGOS).

He expanded his banking and educational career to the restaurant industry and real estate development, and was a charter member of the First Reliance Bank. He received a Master’s degree in Philosophy from the University of South Carolina and settled in his beloved field of teaching, where he is known throughout the community as having taught with distinction both at Francis Marion University and Florence-Darlington Technical College for over thirty years. He authored books and numerous journal publications and retired as Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Ethics in 2019.

Andrew felt a true sense of duty not only to his country, homeland, community, and family, but also his students. He believed in molding characters and appreciating one’s heritage, becoming a champion for Greek culture in America. He was an avid supporter of the arts, and held numerous positions and memberships on committees such as chairman of the Historical Commission appointed by the governor, the Florence Symphony Board, member of McLeod Regional Medical Center Foundation Board and Ethics committee, as well as on the Florence Downtown Revitalization committee, Visual and Performing Arts Concert Hall Steering committee, Florence County New Public Library fundraising committee, and the Florence Museum Board. He was a Florence County Arts Alliance Founder, and a Florence Rotarian. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and friends and spending his summers in Greece.

Andrew was happiest when he was surrounded by his family and friends. Having lost his only child with Eula shortly after her birth, Andrew became a father to all his nephews and nieces, and a nurturing grandfather to their children. He was a pillar of strength for his family representing honor, kindness, duty, and generosity in the deepest sense. Anyone who came in his presence certainly felt his contagious enthusiasm for life and his warm, giving spirit.

He leaves an unparalleled legacy that was created with hard work, determination, and will power. His whole life has been in service to his family, Church, community, country, and his homeland. For this he has been abundantly lauded and given many honors, including being made an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos in 1982 for his outstanding service to the Church being a well-respected leader of the Orthodox Christian community. He also received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, awarded for sharing his knowledge, courage, compassion, unique talents and selfless generosity while acknowledging his debt to his ethnic heritage; the Order of the Palmetto, the highest recognition bestowed on a civilian by the State of South Carolina; and the Jack Baker Award for his impact in the arts and culture.

Andrew is preceded in death by his daughter, Stavroula, his parents, and siblings Theodore (Joanna) Kampiziones and Anna (Zisis) Poulos. He is survived by his wife, Eula (Paula), his nephews and nieces, George (Theodora) Kampiziones, Terry (Niki) Kampiziones, Andrew (Helen) Kampiziones, Joanne (Tian) Ying, Helen Poulos, Gus Poulos, Helen (Steve) Doulaveris, Rena Chizmar, Steve Hondros; and numerous beloved nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.

His Funeral Service was held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church.