Arthur Nicholas Kotsopoulos, 92, of Worcester and Oak Bluffs, MA, died peacefully on April 4, 2022.
He was born in Lowell, MA, on July 19, 1929, son of the late Nikolaos and Sophia (Bakalopoulos) Kotsopoulos and graduated from Hellenic American Parochial Academy in Lowell and from Lowell High School. He attended various business courses at Northeastern University and labor relations courses at The College of the Holy Cross.
Arthur enjoyed a 51-year career in the food industry. In 1943, at the age of 14, he was hired by Brockelman's Markets in Lowell. In 1951, Stop & Shop Supermarkets acquired Brockelman's, where Arthur continued his career as a manager in multiple stores, until his retirement in 1994.
Arthur was President of the Natick Shopping Center Merchants Association for 17 years and received citations from the Natick Chapter, B'Nai B'Rith, The Natick Probus Club and Leonard Morse Hospital. The Town of Natick proclaimed May 3, 1975 "Arthur Kay" Day in honor of his numerous contributions to the Natick community.
Arthur proudly served his country for nine years as a Navy Reservist, Division 1-18. He was a member of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester, The Kilwinning Masonic Lodge of Lowell, and the Stop & Shop Half Century Club.
Arthur valued the importance of an education and worked tirelessly to ensure that each of his children received a college education. He instilled in them the value of working hard to achieve their goals. He led by example.
Never one to sit still, he was a jack of all trades and was often called on by friends and family to fix a leaky faucet, adjust a wobbling ceiling fan or build a porch. He was an avid gardener who built beautiful perennial gardens that were the envy of his neighbors. His home provided a place of solace for those rare occasions when he would sit back, relax and enjoy a well-earned break. He was happiest when his family would gather to enjoy one of his many home-cooked meals.
He embraced his Greek ancestry and upbringing. He loved walking, traveling, listening and dancing to Greek music, and spending summers on Martha's Vineyard with his family.
He leaves his wife of 65 years, Constance (Petropoulos) Kotsopoulos; three sons, Dr. Nicholas and his wife, Sonja (Ilievski) Kotsopoulos, Chris and his wife, Amy (Nattinville) Kotsopoulos, John and his wife, Cheryl (Canzano) Kotsopoulos, all of Shrewsbury, and a daughter, Daphnie (Kotsopoulos) DeLisle and her husband, Gary, of East Longmeadow; 13 grandchildren, Kayla Van Wormer (Steve), Nicole St. Amand (Jay), Loren DeLisle, Mark (Annie), Michael, Max, Nicholas, Sasha, Alexa, Kristen, Emily, Alex and Lindsey Kotsopoulos; three great grandchildren, Aubrey and Weston Van Wormer and Ellie St. Amand. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Arthur was predeceased by his three brothers, Ernest and Charles Kotsopoulos and Chris Castle; and three sisters, Angie (Kotsopoulos) Lyperides, Pauline (Kotsopoulos) Toulopoulos and Daphne Kotsopoulos.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at the Odd Fellows Home in Worcester for the excellent care they provided Arthur.
Family and friends will celebrate Arthur's life with visiting hours on Friday, April 8 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at SaintSpyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell St., Worcester, with his funeral service to follow. Burial will conclude at Hope Cemetery, Worcester. Arrangements are in the care of the Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in Arthur's name be made to the Alzheimer's Association MA/NH Chapter, The New England Center for Children, Southborough, MA, or Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester.