Alpha Omega Council to honor all past presidents at 50th anniversary Leadership Luncheon

The Alpha Omega Council will end its 50th Anniversary Weekend on Sunday, 4 October, with a Leadership Luncheon for its founders and every past president.

Divine Liturgy, offered by His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, comes first. The luncheon follows at 12 p.m. at the Taxiarchae Parish Cultural Center, Taxiarchae/Archangels Greek Orthodox Church, Watertown.

The programme will tell the stories of the men who have led the Council since 1976, starting with founding president Judge Monte G. Basbas (1976–1978).

Basbas, a Manchester, New Hampshire native, graduated from Dartmouth College and Boston University School of Law. In World War II he flew 62 combat missions as a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot, logged more than 300 combat hours, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for a 1945 reconnaissance flight over Formosa. He later served in the Air Force Reserve as a Judge Advocate General and retired as a captain in 1959.

In Newton, Massachusetts he was assistant city clerk and city clerk for 19 years, then mayor for three terms, then a district court judge until 1990. He sat on college, gubernatorial and civic boards. His record of public service is the same ground the Council still claims: leadership, opportunity, community.

Past presidents (♱ deceased)

2024–2026 Harry J. Vlachos
2022–2024 A. Paul Tsitsopoulos
2020–2022 Costa Sideridis
2018–2020 Nicholas H. Ypsilantis
2016–2018 Peter J. Lemonias
2014–2016 John C. Anton
2012–2014 Athanasios C. Liakos
2010–2012 Nicholas F. Kourtis, Esq.
2008–2010 Timothy Marken
2006–2008 John T. Baglaneas
2004–2006 William Kapos
2003–2004 Panos Demeter
2002–2003 John Panagako
2001–2002 Gregory M. Filias
2000–2001 Dr. George Colt
1999–2000 Luke G. Tsokanis
1998–1999 John Gianakouras
1997–1998 Ernest Sofis ♱
1996–1997 Michael Carakatsane
1995–1996 George Decas ♱
1994–1995 Peter Kostopoulos
1993–1994 James P. Lemonias ♱
1992–1993 Charles Nahatis
1991–1992 John Halachis ♱
1990–1991 Peter G. Pantazelos ♱
1989–1990 Archie D. Typadis
1988–1989 George Delegianis ♱
1987–1988 Dr. Nicholas Marinakis ♱
1986–1987 William W. Markos ♱
1985–1986 Nicholas G. Lazares
1984–1985 Christos Tsaganis ♱
1983–1984 Nicholas Polley ♱
1982–1983 Nicholas Xanthaky ♱
1980–1982 Arthur G. Koumantzelis ♱
1980 Spiros Charles Samaras ♱
1979–1980 George D. Behrakis
1978–1979 Dr. Menelaos Aliapoulios ♱
1976–1978 Judge Monte G. Basbas ♱

“It is an honor to preside over this special occasion as we celebrate 50 years of Alpha Omega Council and recognize the extraordinary individuals who have helped shape our organization,” said Costa Speliakos, president-elect. “I am especially looking forward to celebrating with all of our past presidents and their families.”

George Karalis, luncheon co-chair, said the anniversary is a chance to thank the men who gave time and leadership. Co-chair Manny Frangiadakis called it a gathering of generations: friendships, work done, and a shared stake in Hellenism.

The weekend (2–4 October 2026)
Friday, 2 October: Annual Honors Gala. 2026 honorees include Boston University (Philhellene Award), Nancy Agris Savage (Founders’ Award) and Telemachus “T.A.” Demoulas (Emerging Leader Award).
Saturday, 3 October: concert by Konstantinos Argiros.
Sunday, 4 October: liturgy and Leadership Luncheon.

Articles of Organization were filed on 13 May 1976 by ten incorporators: Peter Agris, Menelaos Aliapoulios, Monte Basbas, Louis Dadasis, George Delegianis, Nicholas Metaxas, Paul Scangas, Nicholas Vinios, Nicholas Xanthaky and George Karageanis. Early members George Danis and George Behrakis helped set the course; both remain active mentors.

The Council has given millions to charity and education in New England. Signature events include the Peter Agris Memorial Journalism & Communications Awards, the Marathon Education Essay Event, the Boston Marathon wreath ceremony, Greek Heritage Night with the Boston Red Sox, the Golf Classic and the Honors Gala.

Reserve luncheon seats at AlphaOmegaCouncil.org/aoc-leadership-luncheon. More on the anniversary: AlphaOmegaCouncil.org.

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