Fotis Papakirk

A great man died Friday. Fotis Papakirk, sometimes known as "Pappy" at the Armco mill, passed away Friday, December 11, 2009, after a bout with pneumonia.

Born March 31, 1934, in Polykarpi Greece, Fotis was the fourth of five brothers.

He came from a war torn country to America for better opportunities and prosperity. He joined his uncle George Christy, his older brother Stratton and good friend from the village, Nick Georgopoulos in Middletown, Ohio He came to love his new country and became a citizen of the U.S. and stopped speaking of leaving his home in Middletown.

In 1959, Fotis married Kitsa Horozoni, and he leaves her to mourn his passing. Their forty-eighth wedding anniversary would have been December16.

After he retired from Armco, he continued to work. He supported his Greek Orthodox Church in Middletown .

For more than thirty years he was a member of the Order of AHEPA, a Greek American fraternal organization, and he contributed his time and treasure to that organization whenever it was needed.

In his memorable life Fotis made every effort to make certain that his wife, children and grandchildren were comfortable, safe and happy. They all were the love of his life. He succeeded. He always wanted to give to his family and friends in need, helping them as much as he could. He was grateful for all the blessings in his life.

He is survived by his wife Kitsa, his daughters Stella Tompoulidis (Ilias) and Maria Langendorf (Jim), brother Stratton (Georgia) Papakirk of Middletown, and brother Constantine (Chrysoula) Papakirk of Salonica, Greece; the lights of his life, his four grandchildren Fotis and Tamika Tompoulidis and Carrie and Michael Langendorf, who he loved more than anything, along with son-like nephews Steve, Jim, Chris, Demetrios and Stelios Papakirk and niece Kiki Papakirk.

His most constant companions were Chuck Kioutsikithis, Vasili (Angela) Kioultzopoulos and Nick (Maria) Georgopoulos all of Middletown.

He leaves a much larger circle of close friends and cousins in Middletown, Greece, Germany and Australia.

While his life may have ended, his memory will never die. Not ever. Visitation will be at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home on Monday, December 14 from 5:00 pm to 8:00pm p.m. A Trisagion will be at 7:00pm The funeral for Fotis will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2500 Grand Ave. Middletown, OH. Fr. Bill Cassis officiating. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery.Immediately followed by a luncheon in the basement fellowship hall of the Greek Church.
Memorials in honor of Fotis Papakirk can be made to the Middletown Order of AHEPA, in care of James Langendorf, at 2 N. Main St., Suite 408, Middletown, OH 45042.

Funeral Home:
Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding
3805 Roosevelt Blvd.
Middletown, OH
US 45044