Antonios 'Tony' Pattas

Antonios J. Tony Pattas, 85, of Mason City, died Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at home. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at the Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 1311 2nd Street SW with Rev. Joseph Mirowski officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Full military rites will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Tuesday at the Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church. A Trisagion service will be held at 6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Antonios J. Pattas Memorial Fund. Antonios was born December 17, 1925 in St. Lukas Evia Greece the son of James and Stelioni Pattas. Antionos received his education in Greece. After finishing high school, he attended one year of preparatory school for medicine. However, eleven days prior to getting into the University of Athens-Greece, he left for the United States to join his father whom he never met. Antonios lost his mother when he was 6 years old. He had lived with his aunt and uncle. WWII had ended and Antonios wanted to come to America to see his father. After a 50 day journey aboard a freighter, he arrived in New York along with 24 other passengers. In November of 1946, he reached Mason City and was united with his father for the first time. His fathers poor health and being short of money prohibited him from pursuing his education at the University of Iowa School of Medicine. Antonios first job was teaching Greek at his church here in Mason City. After six months he quit teaching and worked various jobs as a meat cutter and at a grocery. Antonios married Maria Triantafyllou February 15, 1953 in a small town outside of Halkis Greece. Antonios was very active in the Greek Orthodox Church. He was elected secretary and later president of the church board serving several terms for several different priests. Antonios was also a cantor for many years in the church. Antonios joined the AHEPA Lodge, became a life member and served as its president for many years. On Veterans Day for over 40 years, Antonios placed a wreath on the Dough Boy Statue at the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse on behalf of AHEPA. Antonios worked for Lehigh Portland Cement Company for 35 years. He was a member of the Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church and the VFW.

Antonios is survived by his wife of 58 years, Maria of Mason City; son James of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Stelioni, and a daughter, Stella in 1999.

Memorials:
Antonios J. Pattas Memorial Fund

Cemetery:
Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery

Visitation:
4:00 to 6:00 PM Tuesday at the Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church

Service:
10:00 AM Wednesday at the Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church