If you ever heard Frank Fotis laugh, you would remember it. It was high-pitched and could reach across a crowded room ("Frank is here!") .

Frank was born in Greece in 1941 as Fotis Pantazopoulos, and proudly lived up to his name "Fotis" which means "illumination " and " Pantazopoulos " which means "always with life ." Indeed, Frank's warmth and bonhomie, as both extraordinary host and lively guest, lit up every gathering, party or celebration.

But on Tuesday, Oct. 20, after a recent illness, his big, generous heart stopped beating .

Every year Frank celebrated the January 4 date of his arrival by boat in the U.S. as a college student. Without knowing a word of English, he ent ered the University of Illinois- Navy Pier Chicago and earned a BS from the Urbana- Champaign campus , an MS in electrical engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia , and an MBA from Loyola- Chicago.

I n Columbia Frank met his future wife, Mary Ned Nyberg . They married in 19 76 in Massachusetts, where Frank worked for GTE , and where their son Jared Burnham was born. Frank's work for Arthur D. Little in telecommunications took them to Egypt f or five years and to Bangkok, Thailand, for two more years , exchanging camels for elephants and pyramids for temples. A highlight of Frank's life was the 8-hour trek into the Sinai to 6 th century Saint Catherine's Monastery for the baptism of their daughter Leah Catherine.

Like any self-respecting Greek, Frank loved life. He was a genuine example of philoxenia , the Greek spirit of hospitality, or "love of strangers." His dining table was surrounded by friends and international students from Harvard Law School , for whom the Fotis' were host parents for nearly two decades . (As Frank once commented, if he ever needed a lawyer in Belarus or Uzbekistan, he was all set.) A ll were brought together by Mary Ned's unparalleled decorating and Frank's inventive cooking , often featuring his secret ingredient—ouzo. The longer a party lasted, the happier Frank was.

His enthusiasm and generous spirit per meated all aspects of Frank's life. He opened his beloved St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Lexington every Sunday morning and play ed Santa Claus each Christmas.  He was Parish Council President for four years and received the Greek Orthodox Diocese Laity Award for service.

Wher e ver he lived, he served, helping with Boy Scouts and manag ing the youth Bangkok Red Sox, having brought Boston Red Sox hats for each team member . He was especially active in Masonic philanthropic activities. A Past Master of The Massachusetts Grand Lodge of Masons he was awarded the Joseph Warren Medal, its highest honor.

He served as Ch. 24 President , Dis t. 8 Governor and Region 4 Supreme Governor of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) . Frank was active in the Hellenic Square and Compass degree team and the National Associat ion of Parliamentarians , George Demeter Unit . He was a regular of Sabbatoparea, a group of Greek-American friends who me e t weekly to discuss life with wit an d flair.

Frank is survived by Mary Ned, his wife of 44 years, his son Jared (Isa Both) of Amsterdam , his daughter Leah (Robin Bose) of Cambridge, and his grandchildren Miles Franklin Fotis and Matilda Marie Virginia Fotis . He also leaves his twin brother Constantine Pantazopoulos in Athens, his cousin Madeline Gelis of Chicago and his large loving family in Greece .

A rousing celebration of Frank's colorful life will be held after the pandemic has waned. For now, Frank will be buried in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, in a specially selected spot just down Gentian Path from another notable Franklin (Ben).

The family wishes to honor Frank's memory by supporting the children of Frank's beloved St. Nicholas either through a memorial scholarship fund (to be created in his name) or through a donation in memoriam to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Lexington: www.stnicholaslex.org). Please send an email to frank.fotis.memorial@gmail.com if you wish to be notified once a memorial scholarship fund is created.