Apostolos "Paul" Xanthopoulos

Webster - Apostolos "Paul" Xanthopoulos, 87, entered Paradise on Saturday February 23, 2019, with his loving wife and family by his side. 

Paul was born on March 27, 1931 in the mountain region north of Drama, Greece called Lefkoyia.  He later  moved to the village of Lidia in the region of Kavala, where he met Eleni, the woman who would eventually become his wife of 57 years. Paul and Eleni were married on August 20, 1961, and shortly thereafter moved to Germany, where Paul attended college in pursuit of a degree in Physical Education.  Paul always enjoyed and excelled in athletics (track & field events, Greco-Roman wrestling) and was the top athlete in his region, where they called him “λάστιχοτos”, or  "rubber man" in his younger years. 

In 1967, Paul and Eleni left their native Greece and moved to the United States, were they settled in Webster, and he took a job at the now-defunct Cranston Print Works.   In 1969, Paul and his brother-in-law opened Rainbow Pizza on Main Street in Webster, before leaving in 1978 to open his own shop.  Paul's Pizza, which Paul ran with his family for the next 20 years, was a beloved icon in Webster, and is remembered fondly by many even to this day. In addition to running Paul's Pizza with his wife Eleni, Paul also managed several residential and commercial properties in Webster.

Paul was an avid golfer, and was also on the bowling and softball leagues in Webster. Paul’s biggest passion, however, was competing in the Masters and National Senior Olympics all over the country, which he did for more than 20 years!  Paul received Gold Medals in the Javelin, Shotput, and Discus events for his age range in addition to many Silver and Bronze placements. He also enjoyed golfing with his wife in West Yarmouth, on Cape Cod, and in Naples, Florida. Paul and Eleni were honored by the Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church at the Metropolis of Boston Ministry Awards in 2014; he was a devout and active member of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Webster and served on the Parish Council for many years, during which time he served as Vice President. Paul was also a member of A.H.E.P.A.

Paul was a joker with a wonderful sense of humor.  He was a self-taught musician who could play almost any song on the lyre and the harmonica, and his music captured your soul! He especially loved Pontian music and dancing the complicated traditional “Pontiaka” dances . 

Paul will be deeply missed by his loving wife Eleni (Koulax) Xanthopoulos; his daughter Sophia Foisy and son-in-law Stephen Foisy; his daughter Alexandra Xanthopoulos; his daughter Constantina Biondo and his son-in-law Frank Biondo; and his grandchildren Louisa Foisy, Alexandra Biondo and Nicolas Biondo.  Paul also leaves many relatives here in the United States, in Greece and in England, as well as all of his dearest friends. 

“May his memory be eternal” 

Visitation will be on Thursday February 28, 2019 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at the Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 35 Lake Parkway Webster, MA.  The Funeral Service will be held on Friday March 1, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Church; Committal will follow at Mount Zion Cemetery in Webster, MA. 

The Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home is honored to have been entrusted with Paul's funeral arrangements. To share a memory or to offer condolences, a guestbook is available at www.shaw-majercik.com  In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to: Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 713, Webster, MA. 01570.

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