WASHINGTON, DC – [Photos: AHI]
The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) mourns the loss of one of its Foundation’s board members, Gus Andy, who passed away in Florida on October 16, 2023. Funeral services were held on October 20, at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Miami.
«Gus Andy’s legacy is deeply etched within the annals of AHI. For over four decades, he was a dedicated and cherished member, leaving an indelible mark on the organization. His unwavering commitment to AHI and his passion for the cause of Hellenism resonated profoundly with us all. We are forever grateful for it», notes AHI in a statement.
“For four decades, Gus’s dedication and selfless contributions to the American Hellenic Institute were second to none,” President Nick Larigakis said. “His passion and commitment to our mission was truly exceptional. He embodied the spirit of AHI and tirelessly worked to further the cause of Hellenism. Gus left an indelible mark on our organization, and we are forever grateful for his unwavering support and leadership. On behalf of the AHI and AHIF Board of Directors, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Fotini, his children, Vasiliki, Vivian, Maria and Yioryos; and grandchildren. May his memory be eternal”.
Gus Andy [Costas Antoniades] was born on April 21, 1938 in a small northern Greek village called Velvento. He was the son of farmers and the town was teeming with peach orchards, cobblestone streets, bustling cafes and mountains vistas. At the young age of 13, he immigrated to Chicago, Illinois due to the distressing consequences associated with the Communist-led Greek Cold War. Along with his mother Vasiliki, father Yioryos, brother Yianis and sisters Maria and Katerina, Gus arduously worked several low-brow jobs – from dishwashing to janitorial duties to zipping around town as a paperboy – in a concerted effort to support both his family assimilate to a completely foreign place.
An education zealot, he graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture. He received a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Oklahoma. During a summer at the University of Mexico, he studied Economics and the Spanish language. At Florida State University, he studied business. He also attended Florida International University to study Hospitalities.
Upon graduation, Gus Andy worked at Florida’s Development Commission, the rough-and-tumble restaurant realm, and eventually settled in Cape May, NJ where he acquired the La Mer hotel, which he continued to operate until his passing at age 85. Work was his passion. Through intrepid real estate acquisitions and investments, Gus was an extremely successful businessman; yet remained humble to his simple Hellenic roots.
He became an important part of the fabric of Miami, Florida, Cape May, NJ and Velvento, Greece and gave back to a myriad of causes, such as The American Hellenic Institute, Autism research, Archimedean Academy Charter School, Mount Sinai and Cooper Hospitals, The University of Florida, Stockton College, East Lynne Theater, The Cape May Chamber of Commerce, the Mid-Atlantic Center of the Arts in Cape May and his Greek Orthodox Christian churches in both New Jersey and Florida. He contributed toward Velvento’s elementary school where the library is named after him. He traveled twice a year to Greece and Cyprus as a representative of the United States Government and met with the Greek Prime Minister and President of Cyprus. And while he would never admit it, Gus was an accomplished painter and his alluring oil paintings adorn the family’s homes and office spaces.
He leaves behind his wife, Fotini, and their four children Vasiliki, Vivi, Maria and Yioryos, sons-in-law Trevor and Sebastian, daughter-in-law, Karolina, and four grandchildren, Dylan, Ava, Yiani and Arabella.
