We are deeply saddened by the passing of physicist and philanthropist Dr. Constantine Mavroyannis at age 92.
Since 2013, Dr. Mavroyannis and his wife Patricia have supported the Greek America Foundation through the Constantine and Patricia Mavroyannis Scholarship. The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize the importance of education. Specifically, it aims to reward and encourage educational achievement and support Greeks’ contributions to the global scientific community.
Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Mavroyannis and his family, the Greek America Foundation has provided $90,000 in scholarships to 18 students who are either Greek or of Greek heritage and are enrolled in a PhD program in either theoretical physics or physical chemistry in the faculty of science at a North American university.
The full obituary for Dr. Constantine Mavroyannis, prepared by his family, follows below.
It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of Constantine (“Connie”) Mavroyannis, loving and devoted husband of Patricia, father of Maria and Irene, and grandfather of Christopher. Connie passed away after a three-year long, hard-fought battle on January 17, 2020, at the age of 92, surrounded by his family.
Connie was an exceptional person. He had an unforgettable smile that exuded genuine warmth and happiness – an outward reflection of his view that “life is beautiful” – no matter how cloudy the day or challenging the circumstances. He believed in hard work and perseverance, striving to achieve what many might consider impossible, and always with an unflagging positive attitude. An immigrant from Greece he achieved the seemingly unachievable – earning postdoctoral fellowships to complete a PhD In Physical Chemistry from McGill University and a second PhD in Mathematical Physics from Oxford University – each in less than two years. He then became a career theoretical physicist at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), publishing more than 80 scientific papers and teaching post-graduate PhD students from around the globe. Connie continued to work even following retirement, becoming a Physicist Emeritus at NRC (Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences) and going to work every day until past the age of 89.
In addition to his work Connie loved to garden – ”he liked to see things grow.” He was an avid reader and ardent fan of old movies. He loved to swim and enjoy the sunshine and abundant beauty of nature, especially in his backyard in Ottawa and holiday home in Captiva, Florida. He also enjoyed the opportunity to give back and encourage educational achievement, establishing together with his wife the Constantine and Patricia Mavroyannis Scholarship in 2013 to support Greek and Greek heritage graduate students studying for a PhD in either theoretical physics or physical chemistry in a North American university. This Scholarship has since been awarded to a total of 18 recipients.
Most of all Connie loved being with his family. He was a devoted and caring husband to Patricia, his wife of 59 years, and was always proud to have her by his side. Connie was also a gentle and loving father to his daughters, Maria and Irene, and grandson, Christopher. We will love and miss him forever.
Reposing Thursday, January 23rd, 5-8pm at John Krtil Funeral Home, 1297 1st Avenue, New York NY. Funeral service will be held Friday January 24th at 11am at the Archdiocese Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 337 E 74th St. with coffee served immediately thereafter at the Chiotes Family Cathedral (adjacent to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral). Entombment will be at Ferncliff Cemetary, Hartsdale NY.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that any donations be made to the Constantine Mavroyannis Fund which will grant merit fellowships to graduate students enrolled in a PhD program in theoretical physics or physical chemistry.
For donors who wish to make a donation in Canada, they may make their donation online through this link or by entering gift code 07872 on this link.
For donors who wish to make a tax deductible donation in the US, they may send a check payable to ‘Friends of McGill’ at the address below confirming the gift code 07872 and/or Donation in memory of Constantine Mavroyannis:
Friends of McGill University Inc.P.O. Box 28137
New York, NY 10087-8137