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Anthony Kosturos -- Greek Orthodox priest for 55 years in S.F., L.A.
Julian Guthrie, San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer
June 3, 2004
A funeral service will be held Friday morning for the Rev. Anthony Kosturos of the Greek Orthodox Church, a San Francisco native whose 55
years in the priesthood earned him the respect of local luminaries and love of his community.
Father Kosturos was 78 when he died Tuesday of a pulmonary embolism at St. Mary's Hospital in San Francisco. He had survived surgery and an
infection after surgery, prompting his doctors to call him the miracle man. He died on his 40th day in the hospital, his family said.
"His devotion to the church is unsurpassed," said his son James Kosturos. "He was a priest for 55 years, 49 of them in San Francisco. He knew
(former Mayors) George Christopher and Art Agnos. He had the kind of calling to the church that you only hear about."
He was born in San Francisco in 1925. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco and the Brookline Theological Seminary in
Maine. Two weeks before his ordination into the priesthood in 1948, he married Mary Dardas in Lowell, Maine.
The two would have a love that lasted a lifetime.
"My dad had planned to be a single priest," James Kosturos said. "In the Greek Orthodox Church, you can marry before you are ordained. Once
you are ordained, you can't marry. He had known of my mother for years but didn't know she was interested in him until a friend of hers told
him. They fell in love."
Father Kosturos began his service at the Greek Orthodox Community at St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles. He returned to San Francisco in
1955.
Over the years, he developed a reputation for his constant compassion and understanding. He always put the church first. Family members say he
never wavered in his faith or dedication. He had an upbeat, tireless personality and was said to have a keen understanding of the flawed human
condition.
"He knew he wanted to serve when he was 5 or 6 years old," his son said. "He truly had a calling. He was tireless, always looking to help. He
never judged."
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary Kosturos, and their children: Nicholas Kosturos of San Mateo, Elaine Kosturos of Millbrae, James
Kosturos of Burlingame, Theodore Kosturos of Washington, D.C., Paul Kosturos of Rocklin, Paula Tzoumbas of Redwood City and Marina Kosturos
of San Bruno; and his brothers, George Kosturos of San Francisco and John Kosturos of San Rafael.
A viewing will begin today at 6 p.m., followed by an all-night vigil. The viewing and vigil will be held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox
Church, 999 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco. The funeral service, at 11 a.m., also will be held at Holy Trinity.
The family asks that donations be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund, 999 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco, CA 94132.
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