James T Stefanopoulos , January 19, 1929 — November 24, 2018

HOLYOKE: James T. “Dimitri” Stefanopoulos, age 89, of Holyoke, passed away on Saturday, November 24, 2018 surrounded by his beloved family. He was born in Kertezi Kalavriton Greece, son of the late Trifona and Maria (Yiannopoulos) Stefanopoulos. In 1951 he was drafted by the army where he was quickly promoted to head secretary due to his perfect writing skills.

Having completed his military work, he headed off to Athens, Greece where he met the love of his life Kanella and wed on February 19, 1961. Dimitri emigrated with his wife and daughters to the United States in 1967. He was head machine operator at Hazen Paper Company in Holyoke where he worked for many years, retiring in 1995.

He was a longtime member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and took an immense pride in his Greek heritage and traditions. Dimitri was an avid gardener in which he shared the fruitfulness of his harvest with love to his family. He enjoyed reading a vast selection of biblical prayer books and loved journaling his daily life.

Caring for his home, yard, garden, and above all his family were the most precious to him. His bravery and endurance through various ailments and surgeries was a true inspiration to his family. Dimitri was lovingly called papa bear and will always be a hero.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kanella Maria (Philippacopoulos) Stefanopoulos; three daughters, Maria Glimenakis and her husband Anthony and Fotini Glimenakis and her husband Christopher, both of Keene, NH and Stavroula Stefanopoulos of Holyoke. He was the beloved Papou to five grandchildren: Andreas, Chrysovalandi, Erene, Kanella, Demetroula Glimenakis; one sister, Eleni Relas of Greece, and many nieces and nephews. Dimitri was predeceased by six siblings: Athanasios, Grigori, Vasilis, Giorgos, Penelopi, Christo.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 410 Main Street. Burial will follow at Forestdale Cemetery, Cabot Street. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, November 27th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dimitri to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 410 Main Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.

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