By Catherine Tsounis
He had a big smile. The educator tried to help everyone. He was a legend in education in New York City. Mr. Timoleon Kokkinos shaped generations of students at St. Demetrios Cathedral School of Astoria. He passed away on February 24th. A fund in his memory has been established at the St. Demetrios Greek Afternoon School. His 40-day memorial will be held after Greek Independence Day on March 25th. We must remember this educational hero on March 25th in the life of this extraordinary man.
“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” – Aristotle. Mr. Timoleon had a heart that was evident to all. He had an exceptional gift. He inspired people of all ages to attend Greek-American social and educational events. I have seen several hundred people attend Astoria events that Timoleon Kokkinos organized. He was an outstanding fundraiser for journal books and Hellenic causes. His support came from the strong Dodecanesian organization of New York and New Jersey, as well as generations of students who were honored to pass through his hands.
Mr. Kokkinos was an immigrant from the volcanic island of Nisyros. He grew up under Italian and German occupation. Under the governorship of De Vecchi (1936–40), whose Italianization efforts became brutal, the Italian language became compulsory in education and public life, with Greek only an optional subject in schools. The Italian authorities also tried to limit the power of the Greek Orthodox Church without success by attempting to establish an autonomous Dodecanesian church. Fascist youth organizations such as Opera Nazionale Balilla were introduced on the islands, and the Italianization of names was encouraged by the Italian authorities. This was the backdrop of Timoleon Kokkinos’ childhood.
He appealed to middle-class Americans of Greek descent who were attracted to his Aegean island approach to education and Greek hospitality. “Learn the meaning of Greek,” he said. “Greek language is for everyone.” I did not realize that the Nisyrian islanders suffered persecution from a Western, not Middle Eastern, power to hold on to their heritage. Loyalty, commitment to the Greek language, culture, Greek Orthodox Church, and the island of Nisyros describes Timoleon Kokkinos’ life work in Astoria, New York.
Nisyros islanders began mass immigration to the United States in the 1960s when the quota on Eastern Europeans was eliminated. Astoria began a rebirth. Nisyrians, who had suffered to keep their Greek language, culture, and Greek Orthodox Church, helped create a strong education system. Timoleon Kokkinos was an immigrant educator who helped make this happen.
“Mr. Timoleon Kokkinos assisted me in the building of St. Demetrios High School in Astoria, NY,” said President Demosthenes Triantafillou of the Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus.” Educator Kokkinos was one of several educators with Principal Triantafillou who created a kindergarten book for the Greek program of St. Demetrios in 1979. “We visited Constantine Georgiou, the leading Children’s Literature Professor with teachers at New York University to get advice,” explained Prof. Triantafillou. “At the time, materials did not exist. The book is entitled ‘Mathaino Ellinika’ (I Learn Greek): First Book for Kindergarten. It was part of a series of three books.”
The educator was the fourth of six children of Demetrios and Calliope Kokkinos. He graduated from the elementary school of Nikaion, Nisyros. The family moved to Rhodes, and the Kokkinos brothers attended the Middle School of Venetokleion. He graduated with honors. Competition to enter college was fierce. Mr. Kokkinos was accepted to the Pedagogical Academy of Rhodes, where he graduated with top honors. Military service is mandatory in Greece, and he received marine training. He served as an officer in his birthplace, Nisyros. The young teacher worked for four years in elementary schools in Cephalonia, Greece.
In 1962, he immigrated to America for further education. He graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Science degree in curriculum and teaching. His first school was the Greek American day and afternoon schools of St. Spyridon in Washington Heights. Afterwards, he taught at the Cathedral School of Manhattan, New York. He began his service at St. Demetrios Day Afternoon Schools of Astoria in 1974, through the invitation of Principal Demosthenes Triantafillou. Mr. Kokkinos served as Principal of the Greek Afternoon School of St. Demetrios of Astoria from 1996 to 2017. He worked as Principal of the Nisyrian Greek School for over 25 years.
“I continue working for the advancement of the cultural and educational life of the Greek-American community,” he said in a previous interview. “Laboring in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese is a rewarding and enriching experience. The faith of the parents in my work is gratifying. I will continue to do everything in my power to be of service. I will use my wisdom and skills to carry out my responsibilities in the largest Greek-American community of New York outside of Greece.”
Mr. Kokkinos was a founding member of the Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus.” He served as President of “Prometheus” in 1985-86. The organizations he was an active member of included: founding member and secretary for over 8 years of the Federation of Greek-American Educators; two terms as secretary of the Nisyrian Society “St. John the Theologian”; secretary of the Federation of Dodecanese Islands; member of the curriculum writing committee of the University of Crete.
“Our children are our most cherished possession,” he said. “They are our joy and hope for the future.” His awards included: January 1985 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese award for service to the Schools of New York; June 2008 Federation of Greek-American Educators; 2008 Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus”; February 1991, March 1997, and May 1991 St. Demetrios and Day and Afternoon Schools Parents Association; 1975 St. Spyridon Afternoon School Parents Association; October 2010 the Council of the Overseas Greeks SAE Association; February 1994, January 1998, February 2004 The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, Astoria; June 2007 The Greek-American Homeowners Association of New York; March 2003 Ionian Cultural Association of America; 2008 Nisyrian Society of New York; and “Father of the Year” June 2004 by the St. John the Theologos Nisyrian Society.
“Hellenic culture has stressed paideia from time immemorial,” he believed. “This ancient paideia (education) was the foundation of the greatest civilization the world has ever known.” New York politicians have honored Educator Kokkinos, including Mrs. Helen Marshall, Borough President of Queens in March 2006; the Office of former Assemblyman and current Senator Michael Giannaris in May 2005 and March 2006; Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney in 2005; Comptroller William Thompson Jr. in March 2009 for his contribution to the education of New York City students; Teacher of the Year by the Ethniko Kirika newspaper in 2007; and June 2011 newspaper magazine dedicated to his education career by the Ethniko Kirika as “Teacher of the Community.”
“My late wife Anastasia inspired my work,” he said in a previous interview. “She was a very good woman who stood by my side. We have two daughters, Eleni and Calliope. We were blessed with four grandchildren, Theologos and Timoleon Tiliakos and Anastasia and George Tsopelas.” We will always miss this fine person. Our deepest sympathy to his family on the passing of this legendary educator.
Please wait...