Reverend Father Anthony George Demetri

Boardman - Reverend Anthony George Demetri, 66, of Boardman, Ohio, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2025, with his loving brother Tom, and sister-in-law Kelly, by his side.

Father Anthony was born in Youngstown, Ohio on July 20, 1959 to Mary (Pappas) Demetri of Donora, Pennsylvania and Gregory Demetri of Lisbon, Ohio.  He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Youngstown and later received a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing from Youngstown State University.  After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Father Anthony worked at the Mahoning County courthouse in Youngstown for several years as a records clerk until he received his calling to become a priest in the Greek Orthodox church.

He started his journey to the priesthood by attending Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary in Brookline, Massachusetts, where he received his Master of Divinity.  He was then assigned to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs, Florida as youth director.  It was there where he met and married his loving wife, Eleni Peppas, of Port Richie, Florida.  After spending 2 years in Tarpon Springs, Father Anthony was ordained to the priesthood at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, where he subsequently served as assistant priest.  His first assignment as lead priest was at Annunciation Church in Cleveland, Ohio, where he and Presbytera Eleni served faithfully for many years.  He returned to Holy Trinity Cathedral in Camp Hill for his final assignment as lead priest and later as Dean of the Cathedral.

Father Anthony will always be remembered for his love and compassion for others, his love of the Greek language, his love of music, and, of course, his great love for God and the church.  From the time he was a young boy he enjoyed visiting with the elderly, speaking Greek with his grandmother and her friends, and “pretending” he was a priest while performing the liturgy in Greek.  He was very active at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Youngstown, Ohio, where he served as altar boy, participated in the youth group, and performed in Greek holiday plays, and later, as a young adult, served as chanter, youth director, Greek school teacher, parish council member and organist for the church choir.  He was also, essentially, a self-taught violinist and enjoyed performing at church events. 

Father Anthony was preceded in death by his wife, Eleni (Peppas) Demetri, mother Mary (Pappas) Demetri, father Gregory Demetri, aunt Christine (Demetri) Dickos, uncle Dinos Dickos, and nephew Gregory Ortiz.

He is survived by his siblings George (Kathy) Demetri, Connie Athanasopolis (Bill), and Tom (Kelly) Demetri, his uncle Nicholas (Dorothea) Pappas, his nieces Athena and Sophia Demetri, and his cousins George (Stacy) Dickos and Francene (Jim) Tucker.

A Divine Liturgy will be on Monday, December 15, 2025 at 10am at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 220 North Walnut Street. Youngstown, OH 44503.

Family and friends may visit and pay tribute to Father Anthony following the liturgy from 11am to 12noon at the church. A Funeral Service will begin at 12noon.

Burial will be in Belmont Park Cemetery in Liberty.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 220 North Walnut Street. Youngstown, OH 44503.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Boardman.

Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to view this obituary and send condolences to Fr. Anthony’s family.

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