Byron Papanikolaou Obituary

Dear Fr. Byron, you are so missed. May your memory be eternal.

One of my heroes. Loved him.

I loved Father Byron deeply, and he will forever live within me... As I know he will with all the lives he touched...

~~~~~~~

When you walk into our Spiritual Home ~ Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church ~ you will feel the presence of our Beloved Fr. Byron!
Memory Eternal!

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Reflection offers these words from my heart...
Truly Worthy! !

God's most faithful servant!
An Angel in our lives!
A theologian of our souls!
A patriarch to all!
Eternally embedded in all our hearts!
Our Beloved Spiritual Father Byron...
You will be missed dearly
and will forever remain
instilled in our lives!
We can only hope to honor
your memory as you have
honored us for all your years!
Our prayers, sympathy, respect,
love, debt, and compassion
to our Dear Presvytera and
the entire family will never
replace Father's presence, but
it is a testimonial that
he is in all his might
providing comfort.
We will look to God and always
be reminded of Father Byron's
everlasting faithful smile...
God Bless and may
Father Shine his
light on us eternally!


~ Pam Assimakopoulos

Our Dearest Pres, Sultana, Evans, Telly and families

Our hearts are broken for your loss. No words can adequately
describe how we feel and how we miss Father Byron. He was always available to everyone; whether it was a happy time or a stressful time, EVERYONE...orthodox/non-orthodox...
.rich/poor...young/old knew and totally respected Father Byron.
"FATHER BYRON WAY" is a section of Roberts Road named in honor of Father Byron. It is a true tribute to such a dedicated and humble person. Probably the only time we saw Father surprised was when it was announced that the roadway would have the new signage bearing his name.
Four generations of our family and I am sure many other families got to know, respect and love Father Byron for being "THE BEST!"
When I would stop at the church office to see him and mention some of my frustrations he would remind me about "IPOMONI". I promptly responded that if the small "IPOMONI" sign on his desk was missing I probably had borrowed it.
Thank you for sharing Father with so many of us over the years when he could have spent more precious time with all of you.
After a number of years Father Byron has now joined our Dad,
Grandfather, and Great-grandfather SAM STAVRAKAS in Paradiso so they can once again celebrate their birthdays together in August.

We love you and we will always be there for you.

R.I.P. FATHER

Dear Presvytera and family,

My deepest sympathies on Fr. Byron's passing. He was a dear friend for so many years and always reflected his love, understanding, compassion and humility. He exemplified his dedication to the church and Orthodoxy. May he rest in peace and his memory be eternal.

Sincerely,

Mary Orphan

ACCEPT OUR SYMPATHY ON THE LOSS OF FR.BYRON. HE WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR PRAYERS. HE WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON AND A GOOD HUMAN BEING AND WILL BE MISSED BY ALL OF US.

STEVE @ DOLORES GAVERAS

Our deepest sympathy on the passing of our DEAR FATHER BYRON. Our family grew up with FATHER BYRON at S.S. CONSTANTINE AND HELEN CHURCH on Stony Island Ave. in Chicago during the late 1960's and early 70's. That period of my life holds a very special place in my heart. The Greek community on Stony Island led by Father Byron and Father Alex will always with me. THANK YOU FATHER BRYON-MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL.

My deepest sympathy on the passing of Father Byron. He was a wonderful man in every way. May he rest in peace.Everyone at Golden Shoes enjoyed him when he came in.

I'm saddened to hear of the loss of Father Byron. He was one of God's light houses. He was loved by all who knew him. He will be very missed.

In Christ's Love,

Barbara Caliendo (former wake attendant)

Father Byron,
Pray for us as I know you will.
I will miss you deeply
I will never forget what you have done for my soul
we shall meet again

katrina
Old Greenwich Ct

I don't know what to say except that I for one was very fortunate to have grown up around Sts. Constatine and Helen church and Fr Byron. He was like a giant Oak Tree with solid roots and as he grew so did his influence. Like the Oak tree he spread his branches and seeds and was responsible for influencing many wonderful priests who past through the Fr Byron dome to continue spreading the word of God and his goodness. He was a person who never said I can't help you because the only time you came to church is to ask for help from him. His door was never closed no matter what bad things you may have done. Even in retirement all he wanted to do was go and visit people in the hospital. It was difficult to watch him in his later years suffering from a nervous disorder that did not allow him mobility. Somehow he still found the strength to baptize my son together with the other good priests Fr Nick and Fr Tom.

Together with his wonderful family who sacrificed their time with Fr Byron so he could help others, I was very lucky to be around them.

I often wondered, like the movie "It's a wonderful life" what would have been had Fr Byron not been born. I think that movie would have been 24 hours long had it been about Fr Byron.

All I know is that I would have been much shorter if Fr Byron did not pull my long hair to the point of lifting me to my tip toes every time he saw me. The only time he missed was when I got a crew cut, and I challenged him to pull my hair. Some how he got the last laugh.

God's gift to all of us to build on. The best we can do now is pay it forward.

Everyone dies, how they die is important, Sometimes a death has the weight of Tai Shan mountian; sometimes it is lighter than a feather. ...Szema Ch'ien

Thank you Fr Byron and family, I am a better person for being around you. I will always sing your favorite hymn

Phillip P. Karides

Father Byron was my fathers cousin (Vasilios Papachristos). They grew up in the same village. My father always talked fondly of him. May the both rest in peace together with the Lord.

Father Byron was not only a great man, he was inspirational, a great leader, and a great comfort to our family! Our condolences to his family and may he rest in eternal peace.

This Irish Catholic girl has a very heavy heart. I am blessed forever to have had the privilege of getting to know Fr Byron and his amazing wife Cynthia. As I sat at the stoplight at 111th and Roberts Road, I noticed the street sign and thought....wow. I am about to meet someone pretty special. Well that is an enormous understatement. Fr Byron has no idea the impact he has had on my life. There is something about him that in his presence you knew he was very special. A gentle soul. In his own suffering, his thoughts were on his flock. His mission and goal was to go to work. He knew his calling and was committed. What an amazing man. My heart breaks for Cynthia and his family and all of his Church family. My heart is broken that I won't be able to visit him this year at the fest. I pray for you all and the only consolation I have is that there is no more suffering. Fr. Byron is definitely enjoying peace with our God. What a special wonderful man! Loved him

Our condolences to the family. Father Byron was a great man and what a man of God stands for
The Bizoukas Family

Our deepest condolences for the family of Father Byron! We lost the kindest, sweetest, faithful man among us but heaven has gained a true man of God! May he continue to watch over us! Our hearts are broken , but we remember Father's own words, ipomoni and know that God loves us all! What a true example of Christian love he was and will continue to be in our hearts! George and Loula Kladis and family

Fr. Byron was a truly wonderful man who made a difference in so many lives. He will be missed, and fondly remembered. May his memory be eternal.

Andron gar epiphanon pasa ge taphos.

For illustrious men have the whole earth for their tomb. Thucydides

I know that we all agree that our Father Byron was the mentioned man.
Very few in our times have attained the stature, vision, and love for all as our Father Byron has.

His memory will be eternal.

Fr Byron, We are so blessed to have known you and having you in our lives at church and Koraes School. You will be missed so much! You were one of a kind and I thank you for everything. My deepest sympathies to the family. Love, Georgia Koutsiouris

Dear Father Byron,
Thank you for being the beacon of light hundreds of students and thousands of dedicated parishioners felt you were to them. You were and always will be our Earthly spiritual father everyone associated with and felt as though Christ had put on Earth to help guide us through all of the times of our lives. I will never forget the respect you commanded, not by your will, but by the compassion and understanding of the human spirit and condition we all knew you possessed.
Knowing you the way so many people did, we all wanted to do better for you and because of you. Your personality and commitment to helping align us all a little closer to God will never be matched. I will never forget when you would enter my classroom at Koraes how we, as small school children, would spring from our seats as though Christ himself walked into the room. Thinking about that now helps dries the tears from my heart tonight. Your wake was beautiful and attended by thousands. Your love, honesty, and truthfulfness for the church and the right path in life was known across continents. Your baritone voice was a calm in the strom and a staple every Sunday morning for decades of dedicated parishioners.
I leave you tonight Father Byrom with something you said at my own father's wake 15 and a half years ago..."We know that those who have fallen asleep have returned to their Father. And though our hearts are heavy with sorrow, we as Greek Orthodox Christians mourn hopefully for the time when we will be united again in the Kingdom of Heaven. So, tonight, I mourn hopefully for the day when I will be reunited again with my family and you! I love you Father and will remember you all the days of my life.

Now and always,
Jimmy Letsos
Koraes '88

May our beloved Lord grant rest, peace to our beloved Fr. Byron and to his family consolation and agape.
For your eternal dedication as a shepherd of the Lord for an entire lifetime and to the countless individuals who you inspired in their faith. Well done faithful, devoted servant, enter into the Kingdom of the Lord.
Aionia aft0u H mnimi and zoe se sas.

Fr. Anastasios, Helen (Triantafilou) Coulouras family-- retired St. George Lowell, Ma.

God Bless Fr. Byron. My deepest sympathies to his family. I feel Blessed to have known him.
May his memory be eternal.

+ETERNAL MEMORY DEAR FATHER ~ GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU+

Fr. Byron was like a second father to me and to many others as well. How lucky we all were growing up with the security of having him aroundhe was truly part of the foundation of our church. I always felt the presence of the Holy Spirit when I spoke with him and that always gave me strength. IPOMONI, he always said. To his lovely family, I pray He will comfort you during this difficult time. Fr. Byron, please save a spot for all of us.

All my love,
Penny Sierros

I cannot put into words my appreciation for Fr Byron's influence in my life. I wouldn't be where I am today without his guiding hand. He always made me feel I was at the top of his list whenever we saw each other. I know the Lord will give him his rest and reward. Marika (Mary Kay Mammas) La Sorsa

Fr. Byron, thank you for being a father to all of us that went to Koraes School, always reaching out to help us in our times of need, and who set an example to me for which I am forever grateful. With love and a heavy heart I wish you peace in heaven, where I can only hope I will deserve the privaledge of joining you one day.

yours in love,
Nicoletta Skarlatos

I am so thankful that Father Byron was in my life. He was significant to multiple generations of Sts. Constantine and Helen members. His family can take refuge in the knowledge that he was such a wonderful man and church leader.
Rest easy Father.
Paulette Macros (Angeline Macros, Paraskevi Anast, James Kerr)

May he enjoy the blessings of the Kingdom. Fr. Simones and the members of his family in CT express their thanksgiving to Fr. Byron and his family for their service to the Church.

Rest in peace, Fr. Byron! May his memory be eternal.

Your words of wisdom have always followed me during my journey in life! Under your direction, Koraes thrived. I am so greatful to have been a part of your legacy. You will be missed but never forgotten!!

Our most sincere and deepest sympathies to all of you on Fr Byron's passing. He was indeed one of a kind, "special" in every way! Always there for our family with his loving, quiet and wise guidance. He cannot be replaced. May his memory be eternal!
Marianthe Karson and family.

May His Memory be Eternal
Father Byron did so much for so many including our family.
You truly made this world a better place for everyone you came into contact with.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Papanikolaou family.

My deepest sympathy for Father's passing.

.Mrs. James J. Sinadinos and family

Fr. George, of blessed memory, and I consider you the highest example of an emissary of Christ. My love to Presbytera Cynthia and family.
Memory Eternal
Presbytera Mary Scoulas

We were never parishioners of Fr. Byron, and yet he always accepted us as part of his flock. It is too bad the Seminary is unable to clone more devout priests like Fr. Byron. His humility and humanity are, unfortunately. rare attributes. May his memory be eternal.
John A. Damianos

What loss of an ICON love u. Farther Byron baptized me, brother, nephew, niece, and many family members, he also perform the weddings for many family members. farther Byron will so be mist .

May His Memory be Eternal "KALO PARADISO' Our deepest sympathy to Presvitera Xanthipi
and family.

Father Byron......so very much a part of our lives. The memory of his love, understanding, caring and patience will live in our hearts forever. He was truly sent to us by God..
May you have comfort in your beautiful memories and in the knowledge of how loved he was by us all. Eternal be his memory.
Kathy Roupas and Family

You taught me that you never know who you will be a beacon of light to. Many times you were my beacon. I will always love you and remember all the things you said and taught me. We will all miss you terribly but I know the angels were heralding your arrival and that Jesus himself welcomed you into his kingdom. Your memory will be eternal.

Thank you Father Byron. Thank you for everything. I will never forget the guidance and love you always gave to me and my parents. You made this world a better place for everyone you met. You will rest with the Angels in heaven. With All My Love and Graditute For Your Kindness, Maria Mitchell Tsourapas

i really love this man who was more Christ like than anyone I knew. Memory Eternal

Father Byron was the ultimate example of AGAPE! May his memory be eternal! He is an amazing example of an Orthodox priest.

Father Byron was and always will be an icon in the Greek orthodox community. Very much loved by everyone. Will be dearly missed, may God give strength to his loved ones and rest his soul in peace!!!!

A devoted priest, a beautiful person, a wonderful friend. His life was one of love and service to God and all that knew him. Truly missed , but he will always be remembered by all whom he touched. Our condolences to the Family.

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family during this time of grief. Psalms 55 : 22 -

Gone but not forgotten! I am thankful for the opportunity my family had to meet him as he was an inspiration to many of us Koraes kids!!!

God bless Father Byron and his endless love and commitment to the Orthodox faith and people. Our love and prayers are with your family as you say good-bye to a wonderful man who touched the lives of many with his wisdom and gentleness. May he rest in peace.

Pillar of undeniable faith! The best clergy could offer!

Please accept our deepest condolences. He literally touched thousands of lives and will be sorely missed. May he rest in the peace that he so richly deserves. Zoe Se Mas

Please accept our condolences, may he rest in peace.

Please accept our deepest condolences.