Obituary for Adam Demetrios Sgouros
LOWELL – Adam Demetrios Sgouros, 91, a longtime resident of Lowell, MA, passed away at his home on Thursday, December 24th, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Joanne (Archambault) Sgouros with whom he enjoyed 36 years of marriage.
Adam was born on the island of Corfu, Greece in 1929, the son of Reverend Father Demetrios Sgouros, Protopresbyter of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell, MA, and Presbytera Athena Sgouros. Adam was one of four children with an older sister, Eleni, and a younger brother, Alexander. His second brother, Niko, unfortunately died in childhood. Adam emigrated to the United States of America at the age of 19 and was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served on the front lines of the Korean War and was honorably discharged and decorated. After returning home from the war, Adam pursued his education.
Adam attended Lowell State College, Michigan State University, and Florida State University. He received a Bachelor of Mathematics and Physical Science from Michigan State, a Master of Comparative Education and Philosophy from the University of Michigan, and PhD of Bilingual Educational and Mathematics from Florida State University. Adam worked at Oakland Community College establishing their Tutorial Learning Centers, served as the Assistant Director of Bilingual Education at Florida State University, and taught at Westfield State College. Education and keeping up with one’s cultural heritage were everything to Adam. Consistent with his Greek culture, Adam returned home to Lowell, MA in the late 1970’s to care for his aging parents.
Adam spoke five languages fluently: Modern Greek, English, Spanish, Ancient Greek, and Italian. His linguistic expertise coupled with his academic achievements in mathematics equipped him to tutor non-native English speaking students at the University of Lowell in their mother tongue. Adam’s work at the University of Lowell contributed to the development of Student Learning Centers. There he tutored students from a broad range of countries in math and a myriad of other subjects.
Adam was a “Modern Renaissance Man.” His love of learning and teaching was insatiable. He regularly welcomed students into his home, even on nights and weekends. Very often while he was out Adam would bump into former students who enthusiastically remembered the times he had helped and supported them. “Axios Anthropos,’ as the Greeks say, a most worthy man!
In addition to his loving wife, Adam is survived by a son, Demetrios Sgouros and his partner, Kata Jeremias; a daughter, Athena Sgouros Andriakos; and a son, Dylan Archambault and his wife, Concetta Marino Archambault. Adam has 10 grandchildren: Elios and Cedar Sgouros; and Joanna, Angelina, Concetta, James, Nicholas, Anthony, Dominic, and Joseph Archambault. He is predeceased by his sister, Presbytera Eleni Markantonis, and her husband, Rev. Fr. Stelios Markantonis, along with his in-laws, Robert and Patricia Archambault. He is survived by his brother, Rev. Fr. Alexander Sgouros, of Florida, brothers-in-laws, Robert and Stephen Archambault of Lowell, several nieces and nephews including Stephanie and Demetri Sgouros of Florida, Athena Halkiotis of Connecticut, Vicky Markantonis of Upton, MA, and Nicholas and Catherine Markantonis of Cape Cod, as well as many good friends.
Due to current gathering limitations, there will be no visiting hours and his Funeral Service will be held privately. Private interment will take place in Westlawn II Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hellenic American Academy or Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
Adam was born on the island of Corfu, Greece in 1929, the son of Reverend Father Demetrios Sgouros, Protopresbyter of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell, MA, and Presbytera Athena Sgouros. Adam was one of four children with an older sister, Eleni, and a younger brother, Alexander. His second brother, Niko, unfortunately died in childhood. Adam emigrated to the United States of America at the age of 19 and was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served on the front lines of the Korean War and was honorably discharged and decorated. After returning home from the war, Adam pursued his education.
Adam attended Lowell State College, Michigan State University, and Florida State University. He received a Bachelor of Mathematics and Physical Science from Michigan State, a Master of Comparative Education and Philosophy from the University of Michigan, and PhD of Bilingual Educational and Mathematics from Florida State University. Adam worked at Oakland Community College establishing their Tutorial Learning Centers, served as the Assistant Director of Bilingual Education at Florida State University, and taught at Westfield State College. Education and keeping up with one’s cultural heritage were everything to Adam. Consistent with his Greek culture, Adam returned home to Lowell, MA in the late 1970’s to care for his aging parents.
Adam spoke five languages fluently: Modern Greek, English, Spanish, Ancient Greek, and Italian. His linguistic expertise coupled with his academic achievements in mathematics equipped him to tutor non-native English speaking students at the University of Lowell in their mother tongue. Adam’s work at the University of Lowell contributed to the development of Student Learning Centers. There he tutored students from a broad range of countries in math and a myriad of other subjects.
Adam was a “Modern Renaissance Man.” His love of learning and teaching was insatiable. He regularly welcomed students into his home, even on nights and weekends. Very often while he was out Adam would bump into former students who enthusiastically remembered the times he had helped and supported them. “Axios Anthropos,’ as the Greeks say, a most worthy man!
In addition to his loving wife, Adam is survived by a son, Demetrios Sgouros and his partner, Kata Jeremias; a daughter, Athena Sgouros Andriakos; and a son, Dylan Archambault and his wife, Concetta Marino Archambault. Adam has 10 grandchildren: Elios and Cedar Sgouros; and Joanna, Angelina, Concetta, James, Nicholas, Anthony, Dominic, and Joseph Archambault. He is predeceased by his sister, Presbytera Eleni Markantonis, and her husband, Rev. Fr. Stelios Markantonis, along with his in-laws, Robert and Patricia Archambault. He is survived by his brother, Rev. Fr. Alexander Sgouros, of Florida, brothers-in-laws, Robert and Stephen Archambault of Lowell, several nieces and nephews including Stephanie and Demetri Sgouros of Florida, Athena Halkiotis of Connecticut, Vicky Markantonis of Upton, MA, and Nicholas and Catherine Markantonis of Cape Cod, as well as many good friends.
Due to current gathering limitations, there will be no visiting hours and his Funeral Service will be held privately. Private interment will take place in Westlawn II Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hellenic American Academy or Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.