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Constantine Smiros
Connie Smiros, husband, father, pappoo and best friend peacefully passed away in his home on Monday, June 4, 2007.
Connie, his wife Helen and their daughter Barbara moved to Cold Spring in 1981. Prior to that he lived most of his life in Astoria, New York. He commuted to downtown Manhattan where he worked for many years at AIG as an insurance underwriter for oil refineries and petrochemicals. In 1988 he retired and comfortably settled into village life.
Connie was a quiet, gentle and private man. Though many people in Cold Spring may not have known his name he was easily recognized, for he was an avid runner. In fact, Connie ran for over 40 years. What innocently started out as a form of exercise ultimately became his passion. He considered himself a pure runner because he didn't run for competition, although he once did race in the New York City Marathon when it was still held in Central Park, but rather for a genuine love of the sport. Over the years running became increasingly meaningful to him on so many different levels, especially after his cancer diagnosis. For Connie, running wasn't just a way to cope with his illness. It became a necessary component to his survival. It broke his heart, and his family's, when he could run no more.
In high school Connie was among the best art students in New York City. He was selected to attend a prestigious year-long program at the Museum of Modern Art. It was there that he met Georgia O'Keeffe, one of his favorite artists. From 1946-47 he served in the US Army. He was stationed in Virginia as a military policeman and was assigned to guarding the living quarters of the top generals of the time including Generals Eisenhower and Bradley. He dealt with Mamie Eisenhower on many occasions. During the 1960's Connie traveled extensively through Yugoslavia and Greece. On these trips he would be away for 8 or 9 months at a time. It was during one of these trips that he met and married his wife Helen. Connie continued traveling and exploring. Over the years the family has taken many interesting trips both cross-country and abroad.
Besides running, the other great joy in his life was his grandchildren, Christopher and Sophia, and they in turn loved their pappoo tremendously. He possessed the unique gift of relating to children at their own level. Sophia would often refer to herself, her brother and her pappoo as "The Three Kids". He filled their lives with books and stories. In the short time he had with them he instilled in them his love of nature and art, his keen appreciation for literature, his fascination with history, cowboys, Indians and the great American West, his absolute patriotism and his rascal-like sense of humor. He taught them kindness and selflessness and he showed them how happiness can be achieved by simple things.
He has left his family with a lifetime of sweet memories. The impact he has had on them is immeasurable and enduring. They will really miss him.
Connie is survived by his wife of nearly 43 years, Helen, who lovingly took such good care of him in his final days and his daughter and son-in-law Barbara and John Cassidy of Poughkeepsie and their children Christopher and Sophia. His sister, Johanna Mularadelis of Cold Spring and his brother and sister-in-law Alex and Frances Smiros of Flushing will surely miss him, too.
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