Apostolos 'Paul' Cotsoridis

Apostolos (Paul) G. Cotsoridis, fell asleep in the Lord, on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Newport Hospital.Born in Newport, RI, on May 21, 1930, he was the loving son of Mary (Maniates) and Constantine Cotsoridis.He was a graduate of Rogers High School class of 1949, where he played the xylophone in the school band and was voted Most School Spirited by his fellow seniors. He attended the University of Rhode Island, receiving a Degree in Education from the Masters Graduate Program and taught briefly with the Newport School Department. He worked as a manager at Ryans Sporting Goods and was a retired federal employee, having worked at the Navy Education Training Center Library for over 20 years. A devout Orthodox Christin, Paul was an active member of St. Spyridons Church. As a graduate of the Holy Cross Greek Theological School in Brookline, MA, he was assigned by the Archdiocese to Providence where he delivered Sunday morning sermons at the Church of the Annunication for one year. That was followed by the assignment to St. Spyridons Church as Choir Director and Cantor, a role he proudly served for over 55 consecutive years. He was a self-taught organ player and would happily fill in when necessary at the church. He was a member of AHEPA for over 50 years, having served as the President of the local chapter. He also served on the board of directors for the AHEPA National Housing Corporation. He was a foster parent sponsor of the Cyprus Childrens fund for 30 years. Also, a talented artist, his work of art are proudly displayed and cherished by members of his family.Paul was very proud of his Greek heritage and enjoyed traveling throughout Greece and the Islands, particularly to the locations of Papingo and Mytilene, where his parents were born. He also visited the Holy Land, Jerusalem, Mount Sinai, and Istanbul, Turkey. Though his main passion was for his Church, he could also be found worshiping the sun at First Beach, where he was one of the regulars. An enthusiastic sports fan, he faithfully followed the Patriots, Celtics and the Boston Red Sox.A beloved member of the St Spyridons Parish Family, he was often referred to as Uncle Paul, having participated in so many of the Holy Sacraments with their families. He was a proud and loving God-father to many members of the parish. He takes with him the wonderful memories of family gatherings and celebrations and the knowledge that he did his part to maintain the traditions that he was brought up with and more importantly, that he was able to pass them down to future generations. May his memory be eternal.He is survived by his nephews, Charles Cotsoridis and his wife Christine, Theodore Cotsoridis and his wife Maureen and his niece Susan Cotsoridis Heffner and her husband Charles, great nieces and nephews, Jason, Nicole and her husband Bo, Stephanie and Anthony and great-great nieces Paige and Peyton, along with his first cousins, Diane (Nick) Bonofas, Catherine Violet, Artemis (Tom) Adamedes. He also leaves many relatives from the Boston region and in Greece.He was predeceased by his brother George, sister-in-law Irene and his nephew Peter Cotsoridis.Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, from 4-7pm, in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI. On Thursday, April 30, 2015, calling hours will be held from 9:30-10:30 in St. Spyridon's Greek Orthodox Church, Thames Street, Newport, followed by his funeral at 10:30.Burial will follow in Middletown Cemetery, Wyatt and Turner Road, Middletown.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, Thames and Brewer Street, Newport, RI 02840. Cemetery Details Middletown Four Corners Cemetery Turner and Wyatt Roads Middletown, RI, 02842 Visitation APR 29. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Visitation APR 30. 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church 390 Thames Street Newport, RI, US, 02840 Service APR 30. 10:30 AM St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church 390 Thames Street Newport, RI, US, 02840