Angelo Larry Markessinis

October 27, 1922 - April 23, 2020

Angelo “Larry” Markessinis, 97, of Elizaville, passed away Thursday April 23, 2020. Born October 27, 1922 in Hudson, NY, he is the son of Angel and Helen (Vassilou) Markessinis. In 1936, just before entering his freshman year at Hudson High School, Larry’s father, with a need to conquer some health issues, decided to bring his family to Greece. Larry would plan on finishing high school in Greece, return to Hudson, and pursue further education for a career in medicine. When World War II started, all plans changed. Germany and Italy had declared war on Greece, and in December of 1941, when Germany declared war on the United States, Larry and his family were arrested as enemy allies, and would spend three years as prisoners. With British forces gaining control, the British Army HQ in Athens, knew of Larry’s fluency of English and Greek, which enabled him to be a combat interpreter. Local Draft Board 23 of Hudson, NY had requested to British HQ in Athens, that Larry’s services would be best served in the US Army. With US troops more than a thousand miles away, Larry was repatriated and he and his family would be sent back to the United States on a neutral Swedish ship in October 1945. He was inducted into the US Army two months later, and was Honorably Discharged in 1947. Upon discharge, Larry attended Albany Business College, and joined his parents’ business New York Confectionary. Larry joined Local 1249 IBEW and worked as a powerline foreman for over 23 years. After retiring from powerline construction, Larry was Superintendent of Cedar Park Cemetery for 20 years. His commitment to the community included over 70 years of service to HW Rogers Hose Fire Co. where he served as Lieutenant, Captain, and Chief. Larry also loved stamp collecting, and fly fishing. He was a member of Stony Clove Rod and Gun Club. Larry leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter Dona (Larry) Saulpaugh, son Michael (Sandra) Markessinis, grandchildren, Reginald (AnneMarie) Osterhoudt, Danielle and Nicole Markessinis, and Christina (Tadd) Benoit, along with great grandchildren, Zachery, Benjamin, and Angelia Osterhoudt, Maximus Hall, and Garrett Cozza, Several nieces and nephews also survive. Larry was predeceased by his wife Shirley (Hamm) Markessinis, sister Angela Wurster, and brother Basil Markessinis. A graveside service at Cedar Park Cemetery will be held Tuesday April 28, 2020 at 11:00am. Contributions in memory of Larry are encouraged to be made to HW Rogers Hose Co. PO Box 482 Hudson, NY