MELROSE — Our beloved father and husband, Michael Vagianos reposed in the Lord on Sunday January 28 surrounded by his loving family.
Michael was born November 12, 1942 in Brooklyn, NY to Evangelos and Maria Vagianos. He was baptized and attended services with his family and was an altar server at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Brooklyn. Michael received a a classical liberal education at Brooklyn Technical High School and later entered the Holy Cross Theological Seminary in 1960. At this time, Michael met the Elder Father Panteleimon, of the Holy Mountain and founder of the Holy Transfiguration Monastery. He became the Elder’s spiritual son and shared a lifelong spiritual bond and filial love.
Michael married Marie Despo Fondulis in July 1966 and raised five children in Melrose being blessed later with eleven grandchildren.
In 1967, Michael made a pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain in Greece, visiting the many holy monasteries. He met the Elder Arsenios at the Skete of Saint Anne with whom he also had a deep spiritual bond and filial love. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Michael and Marie attended the Divine Services at the Monastery and the newly formed Holy Nativity Convent. The young couple of and a small group of faithful recognized a need for a parish for their families and they to prayed to our Saviour for guidance in fulfilling their desire. With our Lord’s help and the assistance of the Monastery, they founded Saint Mark of Ephesus parish in Roslindale in 1972. Michael’s Orthodox Christian Faith was the foundation of his life. He was a steadfast benefactor and almsgiver, helping support and give relief to our orthodox faithful. He instilled in his children and grandchildren a lifelong love for Orthodoxy.
Michael worked multiple jobs to support his family and entered the dry cleaning business in the early 1980s. He retired in 2008.
Michael was blessed with abundant gifts: a brilliant mind, a loving and kind heart, sensitive demeanor and love of neighbor. He possessed a wonderful sense of humor, which he shared with his beloved Uncle Jim Leos, cousin George Leos and nephew, Jay Leos. Michael loved people and made many lasting friendships. He was a man of dignity and nobility and respected all people no matter what their walk of life.
He possessed an impressive breadth of knowledge and understanding of many subjects and was a prolific reader. Most important he was well-read in the treasury of writings the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church. He also had a deep interest and could speak with authority on any subject like world history, culture, politics and the arts among others. He loved movies and knew almost every actor and actress of the Golden Age and he imparted this love to his beloved daughter, Maria.
In recent years, Michael struggled with serious health problems, yet he never complained and with the help of our Saviour, bore his trials with strength and patience.
Michael leaves behind his beloved wife of 57 years, Marie Despo (Fondulis); his sister-in-law Helen Keegan; nephew John Filaretos; brother Paul Vagianos and his wife Jeannie; his sister Christine Papavasiliou; and his children, daughter Evgeniki and her husband Demetri; daughter Maria Vagianos; daughter Elizabeth Vagianos; son Athanasius and his wife Cassie; and daughter Alexis and her husband Adam; and eleven grandchildren: Sophia, Michael, Maria, Katharine, Michael, Athanasia, Georgiana, Theodore, Aurelia Lucia, Josephine and Oceana. Our family would like to especially honor Michael’s beloved childhood friend, Dr. Panagiotis (Peter) Doukas who gave Michael invaluable medical advice and most of all the love and compassion of a faithful friend. Michael also leaves behind his many beloved nieces, nephews and beloved family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, Michael’s family ask that donations be made care of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 278 Warren St., Brookline MA 02445 and Holy Nativity Convent, 70 Codman Rd., Brookline MA 02445. For online guestbook, please visit faggas.com.