The AHEPAN - Fall 2016 - 38

IN MEMORIAM

AHEPA Mourns Passing
of Former Congressman,
NYU President Emeritus
Dr. John Brademas

AHEPA Mourns Passing of
AHEPA Medal of Freedom
Recipient, Brother Col. Steve
Pisanos

AHEPA mourns the passing of former U.S. Congressman
and New York University President Emeritus Dr. John
Brademas. He died July 11, 2016 at the age of 89. Brother
Brademas, who was the first
American-born person of Hellenic
descent to be elected to Congress,
was initiated into AHEPA Chapter
100, South Bend, Ind.
"We are deeply saddened
to learn of the passing of Dr.
Brademas," Supreme President
John W. Galanis said. "Dr.
Brademas was an outstanding public servant who served
two decades in the U.S. Congress, and he was a passionate champion of education and the arts. Serving in
these two capacities, John was a giant and an inspiration
to many, especially Greek Americans, who went on
to serve in public service or to work in these fields. In
Congress, he ascended to a leadership position, becoming Majority Whip, which made him the highest-ranking
Greek American to serve in Congress.
"In addition, Dr. Brademas was tremendous champion
of the rule of law. He played an integral role in Congress'
imposition of an arms embargo on Turkey in the aftermath of Turkey's illegal invasion and occupation of the
Republic of Cyprus.
"Our deepest condolences and sympathies are with
Dr. Brademas' family, friends, and all whose lives he
touched and inspired. May his memory be eternal."
Brother Brademas keynoted many AHEPA national
events, including the 1974 Supreme Convention, Boston,
Mass., and AHEPA's 75th Anniversary Grand Banquet at
the 1997 Supreme Convention, Atlanta, Ga. At the latter
event, he spoke of his life-long AHEPA membership. He
said AHEPA "has, for three quarters of a century, been
the institution through which Hellenic Americans have
come to play an increasingly significant role in the life
of this country."

AHEPA is deeply saddened by the passing of World War II Flying
Ace Col. Steve Pisanos (USAF, ret.), who was the recipient of the
2013 AHEPA Medal of Freedom at the 40th AHEPA Congressional
Banquet. Col. Pisanos, 96, was an AHEPA
Life Member of Chapter 528, Palm Desert,
Calif., and he also attended events held by
Chapter 505, San Diego, Calif. The colonel,
nicknamed "The Flying Greek," served as
a fighter pilot with the British Royal Air
Force (RAF) and the United States Air Force
(USAF) 4th Fighter Group in World War II.
Col. Pisanos was credited with 10 victories and thus considered an ace. He also served with the French
Resistance after being shot down over southern France, and he
served in Vietnam.
In his acceptance remarks, the retired colonel expressed his love
and appreciation of his adopted country for providing him with the
opportunity to become an aviator. He concluded his acceptance
remarks by saluting the audience-a classy gesture the crowd appreciated. He passed away June 6. May his memory be eternal.

38 | THE AHEPAN · Fall 2015

AHEPA Mourns Passing of
Ahepan, former Senator
George Voinovich
AHEPA is deeply saddened by the passing of former Senator
George Voinovich of Ohio. Brother
Voinovich was instrumental in enhancing
and strengthening the security measures of
the United States' Visa Waiver Program and
supported Greece's entry into the VWP. In
March 2010, Supreme President Nicholas
Karacostas presented Senator Voinovich
with the AHEPA Paul E. Tsongas Public
Service Award for his bipartisan work in
the Senate. Brother Voinovich, was a 25-year member of AHEPA
Chapter 480, North Royalton, Ohio. He passed away June 12, 2016.
May his memory be eternal.

www.ahepa.org

https://www.nyu.edu/library/bobst/research/arch/brademas-cyprus.htm https://www.nyu.edu/library/bobst/research/arch/brademas-cyprus.htm http://www.ahepa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The AHEPAN - Fall 2016