NEW YORK, NY – by Markos Papadatos
On February 12th, 2025, the Greek-American community mourns the loss of Effie Loupakis, a Master in Tae Kwon Do, and Acrobatics and Gymnastics instructor. She was born on December 29th, 1935, in Chania on the island of Crete in Greece.
Aside from her athletic prowess, she was a beloved sister, aunt, woman, and a great friend to all. She was certainly one of the most kind-hearted people one is ever going to meet in life. Always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.
Ms. Loupakis was a talented seamstress, who was able to create intricate clothing. That natural gift invited her to New York City, where she was able to display her work, and it led to other opportunities. She subsequently opened her own Karate (Tae Kwon Do) and Gymnastics schools, where she taught her students the five tenets of Tae Kwon Do: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. In doing so, she made a positive impact on countless lives.
She was a pioneer/trailblazer becoming one of the first women to open a karate and gymnastics school in New York, if not the first. She held 5 Dan in Tae Kwon Do. If the sport of Tae Kwon Do and Acro-Gymnastics had a leading lady, Effie Loupakis would be the Queen. Her goal in life was to give us all a world-class Olympic education, and it is safe to say that she accomplished that objective, and then some.
She was always a firm believer that a healthy body is synonymous with a healthy mind, and that exercise helps “prevent cancer and heart attacks.” By consistently working out, she would never get sick.
Having known Ms. Loupakis personally, trained under her and worked with her for 12 years, she will be missed dearly. Effie was always so full of life, charm, and zest. Her energy level was always infectious. I feel I am a much better person to have known her. The world of Tae Kwon Do and Acro-Gymnastics will never be the same without her.
She truly had a heart of gold. There aren’t enough pages or books to describe all of the good you did in this world. She became a mentor and a moral guardian to us all.
Effie was a woman that has found the means to go beyond the ordinary, and she has expanded and redefined the martial arts landscape into what they are today.
One of her biggest passions in life involved fishing and spending time on her boat in the waters of the Long Island Sound. She was the modern-day equivalent of Greek heroine Laskarina Bouboulina. She would always be generous and give fresh fish (predominantly porgies) to her family members and close friends. She was all about organic cooking as well.
She loved the adrenaline rush, and she had an adventurous spirit. She enjoyed driving her boat and her car, as well as dancing and cooking. She loved going to Greek festivals as well. She was strong, fearless, and a fighter.
Even though she is gone, her words and legacy will live forever, and we will always treasure Effie Loupakis as a gift to us all.
While it was a cold, snowy day on February 12th, when the world lost Effie Loupakis, I am confident that a line of angels was sent to lead to paradise.
To paraphrase the chorus of the classic Vince Gill tune “Go Rest High on that Mountain:
“Go rest high on that mountain
(Effie) your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a-shoutin’
Love for the Father and the Son.”
May Effie Loupakis RIP, as well as Fish in Peace, and may her memory be forever eternal.
I am so sorry for your loss. I admired Ms. Effie for her super human powers in karate and in the love she had teaching our children respect and obedience. Rest in peace Effie I hope the fishing are biting