Father Andrew Nicholas Eugenis

With profound sadness, yet unwavering hope in the Resurrection, we announce the repose of Father Andrew N. Eugenis, who peacefully fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, July 19, 2026, following a courageous battle with AL amyloidosis and multiple myeloma. Throughout his illness, Father Andrew fought with extraordinary strength, grace, and unwavering faith. Surrounded by the love of his family, he faced every challenge with courage, optimism, and selflessness, carrying his cross with quiet dignity and an unshakable trust in God that defined every aspect of his life. Father Andrew was born on November 28, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois, to Nicholas Theodore Eugenis and Dorothy Eugenis (née Callas). The youngest of three children, alongside his brother Ted and sister Irene, he was raised in the loving community of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Des Plaines, Illinois. It was there that the seeds of a lifelong devotion to Christ and His Church were first planted. As a young man, Father Andrew embraced life with boundless energy and curiosity. He loved the outdoors, enjoyed playing sports — especially ice hockey — and was happiest when working with his hands. Possessing an extraordinary ability to fix nearly anything placed before him, family and friends affectionately nicknamed him "MacGyver." His natural aptitude for problem-solving led him to pursue engineering studies at East Leyden High School, graduating in 1978 before beginning a successful career in electro-mechanical engineering. His work took him across the world. Yet despite his professional accomplishments, something greater continually called to his heart — the love for the Church that had been nurtured since childhood never faded. Answering that call, he enrolled at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, setting aside one vocation in pursuit of another: the sacred calling to the Holy Priesthood. It was during his seminary years that God brought into his life the woman who would become not only his beloved wife, but also his greatest partner in ministry. While attending a Young Adult Conference in Chicago in 1988, Father Andrew noticed a young brunette with unmistakable, beautiful, voluminous hair across the breakfast room. As the crowd slowly dispersed, one conversation began a love story that would span nearly four decades. That young woman was Angela Hadjimarkos, who would one day become his beloved Presvytera. The following year, Father Andrew and several fellow seminarians biked across the United States — from New York to San Francisco — to raise awareness and funds for Cooley's Anemia, a testament to the determination and selflessness that would characterize his entire life. Soon afterward, he proposed to Angela. Despite the challenges of a long-distance relationship, they were united in Holy Matrimony in July 1991 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Clifton, New Jersey. Together they built not only a home, but a life rooted in faith, sacrifice, and unconditional love. Following their marriage, they settled in Boston, Massachusetts, where Father Andrew completed his theological education, graduating in May 1993. Their first son, Nicholas, was born later that year. The family then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Father Andrew served as a deacon at Holy Trinity–St. Nicholas Church after being ordained to the Holy Diaconate in his hometown of Chicago. Soon afterward, the family answered another call — this time to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston, Texas — where Father Andrew was ordained to the Holy Priesthood. There he faithfully served as assistant priest before eventually becoming Proistamenos of the Cathedral. During the family's years in Houston, they grew with the births of Jordan in 1994, Teddy in 1997, and Stefanos in 2001. His engineering mind and practical wisdom proved invaluable as he helped oversee the planning and development of a new cathedral complex, combining his technical gifts with his pastoral heart in service to the Church he loved. In 2001, Father Andrew answered yet another calling when he was invited to become Proistamenos of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Shortly after arriving at St. George, their youngest son, Markos, was born in May 2002, completing their family of five sons. For the next twenty-five years, Father Andrew became far more than the parish priest of St. George — he became the spiritual father of generations. He celebrated baptisms, heard confessions, blessed marriages, comforted grieving families, visited the sick, encouraged the discouraged, and welcomed strangers as family, reminding countless people that God's love never failed them. Whether delivering a sermon from the solea, repairing something around the church with his own hands, mentoring young people, or quietly helping someone in need without seeking recognition, Father Andrew lived his priesthood with humility, compassion, and unwavering faith. His greatest joy, however, was his family. He was a devoted husband to Presvytera Angela, whose love and partnership strengthened every chapter of their journey together. He was an extraordinary father whose greatest lessons were not spoken but lived — through his example, he taught his sons integrity, humility, perseverance, generosity, and what it truly meant to love God and love others. In 2022, his family grew once more with the marriage of his eldest son, Nicholas, to Anastasia Gregorakis, and he embraced one of life's greatest blessings in becoming "Pappou" to his beloved granddaughter, Angelica, who brought immeasurable joy to his heart. Father Andrew's life was one of joyful service. He gave endlessly of himself — to his family, his parish, his community, and to every person God placed in his path. He never sought recognition or praise; instead, he sought only to serve Christ faithfully, love others wholeheartedly, and leave every person and every place better than he found them. His kindness, wisdom, gentle humor, steadfast character, and unwavering faith touched countless lives, many of whom will forever remember him not simply as their priest, but as their spiritual father. He was predeceased by his beloved parents, Nicholas Theodore Eugenis and Dorothy Eugenis (née Callas); his parents-in-law, Theodore and Athena Hadjimarkos; and his brother-in-law, Nick Sekera. He is survived by his beloved wife of thirty-five years, Presvytera Angela Eugenis; his sons Niko and his wife Anastasia, Jordan, Teddy, Stefanos, and Markos; and his cherished granddaughter, Angelica. He is also survived by his brother Ted Eugenis and his wife Sue; his sister Irene Eugenis; his siblings-in-law Marina and Peter Thomas, Dimitra Sekera, and Dimitri and Sharon Hadjimarkos; and countless nieces and nephews including Sarah Eugenis and her daughter Athena; Nick Eugenis and his wife Talin and their children Areni and Theo; Anthony Eugenis; Anton Eugenis; Theoni Karalis and her husband Yianni and their children Aleksandra and Marina; Costa Thomas and his wife Marlene and their children Eleftheria and Vasileia; Athena and Alexandra Thomas and her fiancé Anthony Sarci; Theodore Hadjimarkos; and Nicholas and Athena Sekera — together with many beloved extended family members, godchildren, parishioners, and dear friends whose lives were forever changed by his love and ministry. Though our hearts are broken, we give thanks to God for the extraordinary gift of Father Andrew's life. His legacy is not measured by the buildings he helped construct, the titles he held, or even the years he faithfully served. Rather, it is found in the countless lives he transformed through his faith, compassion, wisdom, and unconditional love. He leaves behind a family who adored him, a parish strengthened by his leadership, and generations of faithful whose lives will forever bear the imprint of his ministry. May his memory be eternal. Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη. in lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to: St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1033 West Park Avenue, Ocean Twp., NJ 07712.

Father Andrew Nicholas Eugenis

November 28, 1959 - July 19, 2026