The Kantzavelos Family
Maria Krekoukis, pictured here as a young widow of 33 years of age following the death of her husband, Kleomenis Kossivas (the boxer), with her young children, including Merope (seated on her lap), who is the mother of Bishop Demetrios (Kantzavelos). In 1948 she re-married George Coutoumanos. She was one of the first Greek School teachers in Chicago and taught at St. Basil’s and then at Plato School of the Assumption Church. She taught a total of 38 years. She was born in Marathos, Messinia, and became naturalized in 1941 at the age of 32. She passed away in 1988 at the age of 80. In the attached picture she was a widow and is pictured with her three children, my mother Merope, Epaminondas (Peter) Kossivas (with glasses) and George Kossivas.
Magdaline Nikolaou and James (Demetrios) Kantzavelos wedding picture. Married in Paris, France in the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Stephanos, December 23, 1929. James immigrated to the United States from Zarakova, outside Tripolis in the early 1900s. Magdaline hailed from Thaleron, outside Corinth. Their marriage was arranged via relatives on each side of the Atlantic and the couple met in Paris (half way) for the wedding.
Kleomenis Kossivas arrived in America in the early 1900s from the village of Solaki in Messinia. He was naturalized a citizen on October 6, 1927. After an early career as a boxer, he became a candymaker for the Babe Ruth Company. He died at the age of 44 from a stroke, probably related to his boxing career. (Maternal grandfather of Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos)
Madgaline Nikolaou and James (Demetrios) Kantzavelos with another gentleman, probably their Koumbaro. The picture was most likely taken in Paris after their wedding.
