Elias Kapetanopoulos

Professor Elias Kapetanopoulos, 93 of New Britain, passed away on January 7, 2023. He was born in Pentalofos, Kozane, Greece son of the late Stavroula and Andreas Kapetanopoulos. He emigrated to the United States in 1948 at the age of 17 following in his father's footsteps. He ultimately settled down in New Britain, CT for over 50 years before moving to assisted living at Brookdale in West Hartford with his late, beloved wife of 65 years, Marilena.

He will always be remembered and admired for his intelligence, dedication, and commitment to his profession, heritage, and family. After serving in the U.S. Army, Elias received his B.A. in History at Wayne State University in Michigan where he met Marilena. Soon after graduating, they moved to New York City where Elias received his Master's degree at Columbia University and then his Ph.D. in Classics at Yale University. They spent a year in Rome as Elias studied on a Fulbright Scholarship, and then moved to Princeton, NJ where Elias was a visiting scholar at the School of Historical Studies Institute for Advanced Studies. They also lived in Nebraska for five years where Elias taught at the University of Nebraska and where his two children were born. The entire family finally settled in New Britain, Connecticut in 1968 where he taught Greek and Roman history at Central Connecticut State University for over 40 years. Many of his publications are noted on his website. https://web.ccsu.edu/elias/elias.htm

Since 1972, he was a long-time member of St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Hartford, and he taught Greek to the parish youth in the Greek School program for 10 years. In his spare time, he was an avid reader of historical writings. He enjoyed his daily walks and spending time with his grandchildren. During the summers, he would travel to Greece visiting relatives in the village where he grew up and enjoyed sharing those memories with family known to all as "Pappou".

He is survived by his daughter Andreada Merlos, son Andreas Kapetanopoulos and his wife Sophie of West Hartford, as well as his 3 beloved grandchildren: Alexandra, Elias, and Maria. He is additionally survived by nieces, nephews in Greece, Connecticut, Michigan and Australia. Elias was predeceased by his wife Marilena Kapetanopoulos and sister Maria Voimta.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 12th, 11:00 am at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 433 Fairfield Ave. Hartford, CT 06114. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. The family will receive friends and family at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 10:00 am, 1 hour prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

To share a memory with the family, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com