With joyful sorrow and hope in the Resurrection,we share that Dr. Thomas Charles Lelon, 88, fell asleep in the Lord surrounded by family on May 18th, 2025.

Thomas was born on January 6th, 1937, to Charles Thomas Lelon and his wife, Lilian (nee Klioris), in Chicago, Illinois.  He graduated from Morgan Park Military Academy, received his BSBA and MBA from Roosevelt University, and a PhD in Higher Education Administration from The University of Chicago.  Tom served in the United States Marine Corps, which indelibly formed him as a servant-leader, who for the rest of his life would lead only by example.

Tom began his 50-year career in Higher Education, at Boston College and later became the Dean of the Graduate School of Babson College before he answered his calling.  He was the first lay President of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (HCHC) where he also served on the Board of Trustees for decades, including many years as Vice Chair.  During his decade-long Presidency, which he considered a ministry, he led HCHC through one of its strongest periods of transformative growth.  Later while serving as an HCHC Trustee, he was also a Professor of Management at Nichols College and advised a handful of entrepreneurial ventures.

Central to his character and his life's work were his love of Jesus Christ and His Church.  A lifelong activist within the Church concerned with the health and relevance of American Orthodox Christianity, he was involved in the development of the GOYA movement as a young man and co-founded with Dr. John Collis the national GOALmovement which helped to revitalize the role of laity in the governance of the Church.

His lifetime of distinctions included: Archon Notarios, Order of Saint Andrew, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople; Cross of the Holy Sepulcher, Patriarchate of Jerusalem; Cross of Paideia, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Americaand Man of the Year, National Conference of Christians and Jews.

Over the years, Tom and his family lived in Wellesley, Dover and Medway.  He is survived by his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 65 years, Alexis, his daughter, Elise Lelon, his sonand daughter-in-law, Charles Lelon and Bobi Koukounaris, and their three children, hischerished granddaughters, Christina, Alexis, and Chloe Lelon, who knew him as a surprising, goofy, and faithful grandfather.

The family would like to thank all those who provided excellent care and comfort to Tom, including Touching Hearts at Home, New Pond Village, and the Massachusetts General Hospital ICU and Phillips House Hospice teams.

A wake will be held on Tuesday, May 27th between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm at St. Demetrios Church, 57 Brown St, Weston.  The funeral service will be held in the chapel at Hellenic College Holly Cross, 50 Goddard Ave, Brookline, on Wednesday, May 28th at 11:30 am. It will be followed by a makaria reception at the Brookline Cathedral Center, 162 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, at 12:45 pm.  The burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, 148 Brook St, Wellesley at 3:45 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Hellenic College Holy Cross, 50 Goddard Ave., Brookline, MA 02445.