The AHEPA Family Mourns The Passing of Past Supreme President Johnny N. Economy
WASHINGTON-The AHEPA family is deeply saddened by
the passing of Past
Supreme President Johnny N. Economy who died last night at his
home in
Atlanta, Georgia. He
was 57. Brother Economy
served as Supreme President
in 2000-2001.
"Through his eloquence and strong yet gentle leadership,
Brother Economy
inspired us with his zest for Hellenism, his love of the AHEPA
and its
principles, and his compassion for all people," said
Supreme President
Franklin R. Manios. "His
contributions to the community will always
Remind
us of his passion, dedication, and commitment to Hellenic values.
Our
deepest sympathies are with his lovely wife, Athena, and his
extended
family."
Brother Economy held numerous offices during his AHEPA career
and just
concluded a three-year-term on the Board of Directors in July
2004. He
also
served two terms as Supreme Secretary and most elective offices at
the
district and chapter levels.
In addition, Brother Economy served as President of the AHEPA
Centennial
Foundation, Inc., the entity responsible for the building and
dedication
Of
the Tribute sculpture to Olympism in 1996.
The sculpture rests in
Atlanta's
Centennial Olympic Park and celebrates our ancestors' gift to
humanity.
Furthermore, Economy is credited for being the force behind
the dedication
of the George C. Marshall Statue on the grounds of the
American Embassy in
Athens in 2000.
Brother Economy was a 30-year member of AHEPA Mother Lodge
Chapter No. 1,
Atlanta and served on the Board of Directors of AHEPA One,
Inc., Atlanta
Chapter's senior citizens housing complex.
In 1995, Brother Economy
received the National "AHEPAN of the Year" Award.
He was also active with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
America being
recently appointed to serve on the Archdiocesan Council.
In 2001, His All
Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I made Brother
Economy an Archon
of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle. He also served the Metropolis of
Atlanta and the Board of Trustees of Annunciation Greek
Orthodox Cathedral
of Atlanta.
Economy was President of Zomma Enterprises, Inc ., an athletic
sportswear
printing company he established in 1975.
A native of Atlanta, he was the son of Efstathios
Economopoulos of
Messinia,
Greece, and Evthoxia Petkas Economopoulos of Peramos, Asia Minor.
He is
survived by his wife Athena, brother Othon and sister-in-law
Alice;
brother-in-law George Gavalas and wife Vicki; and nephews and
nieces.
Funeral arrangements are being finalized.
We leave with the Greek-American community Brother Economy's
thoughts on
Hellenism:
"In trying to define Hellenism, we must first understand
that a simple
definition of this word would be a grave injustice.
"To properly define Hellenism one would need a scholar to
explain it's
origins, an artist to draw on it's beauty, a poet to describe
it's heart,
and a theologian to explore it's soul.
"Simply put, Hellenism is the basis for man's humanity to
his fellow man.
"Each and every one of us can by right of birth claim the
title of human
being.
"By subscribing to and projecting the principles of
Hellenism, we can add
one very important prefix to that title-civilized."
May the memory of Johnny N. Economy be eternal.
