Rev. Father Ernest James Coulouras Obituary (1929 - 2021)

NORTH CHELMSFORD Reverend Father Ernest (Anastasios) James Coulouras, lovingly known as Father Ernie, age 92, passed away peacefully at Tufts Medical Center on Thursday, December 30, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Presbytera Helen Constance (Triantafilou) Coulouras with whom he enjoyed nearly 61 years of marriage until her passing in June. Together, they were residents of North Chelmsford since 1962. Father Anastasios was born in Lowell on June 1, 1929. He was the son of the late James and Chrysotheme (Philipopoulos) Coulouras. He graduated from Lowell High School in 1947 and Boston University with degrees in Education, Counseling and Psychology. Father Anastasios was known as a humble and kind man who spent his life selflessly serving others. His life of service began when he enlisted in the Navy where he proudly served for four years during the Korean War. He later volunteered as the director of Camp Paul for Exceptional Children (now the Paul Center for Learning and Recreation) where he dedicated himself to creating a special place for and assisting individuals with special needs. For many decades, Father Anastasios taught and supported numerous elementary and junior high school children as a teacher, guidance counselor and school psychologist in the Chelmsford Public Schools and other neighboring communities. One of the highlights of his career was teaching high school in Volos, Greece as a Fulbright Scholar. Upon retirement, Father Anastasios followed his lifelong calling and pursued religious studies at Brooklines Holy Cross Theological Seminary and at the age of 67 was ordained as a Greek Orthodox priest. He reverently and lovingly served as a priest at the Taxiarchi Greek Orthodox Church in Laconia, NH, the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell, MA, and several other parishes in New England. Father Anastasios lived his life dedicated to his family and to the church. He was a devoted husband and supportive father of three sons, including a child with special needs; coaching numerous youth sports teams and enjoying camping trips with his family. He was a dedicated member of the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell, MA; serving as a Parish Council member, Epistle Reader and choir member for numerous years. He had a special interest in music and spent many years as the lead singer for the Jay-Anthony Orchestra, a local popular Greek folk band in the 1950s, and the Byzantine Male Choir of Lowell. Father Anastasios touched many people through his years of service and friendship, and above all, by his kindness and love. He will be greatly missed by his sons, James Ernest and his wife Ana (Knezevic) of Worcester and their daughters, Maya and Eleni, Charles Ernest and his wife Christine (Pantazopoulos) of Longmeadow and their children, Thomas, Anthony, Chrysanthe and Alexander, and John Chrysostom of Amesbury. He will also be missed by his sister-in-law, Carleen Gavin of Westford, his brother-in-law, Father Nicholas C. Triantafilou and his wife, Presbytera Diane (Xenakis) of North Andover, and many nieces and nephews who affectionately called him Uncle Ernie. In addition to his loving wife, Father Anastasios was predeceased by his siblings, Charles Coulouras and his wife, Helen (Lazaropoulos), Anthony Coulouras and his wife, Katherine (Paraskevopoulos), Vasiliki (Coulouras) Georgopoulos and her husband, Louis, Attorney Peter Coulouras and his wife, Elaine (Mitsou), and George Coulouras; and his sisters-in-law and their husbands, Thespina and George Trearchis and Mary and John Barbas. Funeral services and interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 44 Princeton Blvd., Lowell, MA 01851.