Constantine G. Penesis

Constantine Penesis passed away at the age of 93 on Saturday March 29, 2014. He was cared for in his final days by his beloved and devoted wife of 45 years Dr. Maria (Mika) Penesis, son George and daughter-in-law Lori, and the capable and caring staff of Highfield Gardens Care Center and North Shore – LIJ Hospital. Constantine was born in Danbury, Connecticut on July 18, 1920 and emigrated to the mountain village of Agios Petros in the Peloponnese as an infant with his parents George and Rina, and his older brother Nicholas and sister Aggeliki. Three more children—Eleni, Sofia and Stratis—were later born into the family and a fourth, Efthimia, died in infancy. Constantine attended law school at the University of Athens until the outbreak of World War II and returned to the United States on July 10, 1946. He lived on President Street in Brooklyn with his godparents Bessie and John Hlentzas, who stood by him and whom he loved dearly. Later he lived down the block with his brothers, and watched the Brooklyn Dodgers play the New York Yankees half a mile away at Ebbets Field. He attended Pace University, became a partner at Rex Travel Agency, founded Galaxy Travel Agency at 693 Eighth Avenue in Manhattan, helped many fellow immigrants and served the Greek American community for over twenty five years. He was a handsome, sharply intelligent, humorous man who loved and provided for his family, and who touched many lives over more than nine decades.

Arrangements under the direction of Frederick Funeral Home, Flushing, NY.