Greek-American Philanthropist Ted Spyropoulos Dies

Ted (Theodore) Spyropoulos, a philanthropist who contributed greatly to the Greek-American community, has died.

The Greek-American supported numerous organizations through his lifetime and offered scholarships to numerous students across the United States.

Spyropoulos last served as Vice Chairman of the Board of the American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHIF) and was a major benefactor of many Greek-American events, conferences, and forums.

Theodore G. Spyropoulos was born in Kalavryta, Greece. He studied Political Science in Stockholm, Sweden, where he met his wife, Erika Knickman Spyropoulos. They have a daughter, Mariyana. In 1962, he served in the Hellenic Navy. In 1964, he immigrated to Chicago, Illinois. He was the President of T.G.S. National Wholesalers, an automotive wholesaler that operates in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, A & T Oil Company, T.G.S. Petroleum Co., Inc., and Can2 International Manufacturing and Marketing.

Just as remarkable as his business endeavors are Mr. Spyropoulos’s community service contributions, most notably to Hellenic causes and institutions. He served as a volunteer and held leadership roles in a number of Greek American organizations. He was the U.S. Regional Coordinator of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (S.A.E.). He was also the President of “Plant Your Roots in Greece, Inc,” whose main purpose is raising awareness of the environment and the reforestation of Greece. He was the first elected president of the “Hellenic American National Council USA” (HANC), where he advocated Hellenic issues in Washington and prioritized Hellenic “Paitheia.”

He served leadership roles in many organizations, including AHI, HANC and SAE, for which he served as USA Coordinator. He was the president of ENOSIS of Hellenic American Organizations of Illinois, president and founder of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce, chairman and founder of the Spyropoulos Scholarship for Hellenic-American Students in Hellas and the USA, and the president of the Plant Your Roots in Greece program. Additionally, he was a founding member of Technopolis, Thrace, Hellas International, and a member of AHEPA and AGEI Hellenic Interests of Greek-Americans.