Obituary of Philip Metzidakis

On Monday November 8, 2010, Dr. Philip Metzidakis (PhD) of Silver Spring, Maryland and formerly of Swarthmore, PA and Orleans, MA, passed away at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD. He was 79. Born in Springfield, MA to parents who emigrated from Crete, Greece in the early 1900's, Philip graduated from Classical High School in 1949 and was the first of his family to attend college. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1953 and earned his PhD in Spanish literature from Yale University in 1960. He also earned advanced degrees in Romance Studies and Philology from the University of Salamanca, Spain. Dr. Metzidakis taught at Mills College in Oakland, CA and in 1968 joined Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, where he taught until retiring in 1995. Fluent in Greek and Spanish, he was also a scholar of Latin and ancient Greek. Dr. Metzidakis authored two books in Spanish and translated many scholarly articles as well as a Chilean novel "In This Sacred Place" into English. He was an avid football fan, fisherman, gardener and traveler. He is survived by two children, Philip Metzidakis (Ruth) of Nyack, NY and Penelope Barnett (Alan) of Silver Spring, MD, and also by three grandchildren, Alex Barnett, Eli Michael Barnett and Luke Metzidakis, and brother Bob Metzidakis of Springfield, MA. His beloved wife of 50 years, Pauline Metzidakis (nee Jansizian) preceded in death in 2005. He is also the brother of the late Steve Metzidakis. Memorial services will be held in Swarthmore, PA and in Springfield, MA at dates to be determined. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Dr. Metzidakis to either of these organizations: National Stroke Association, 9707 E. Easter Lane, Suite B., Centennial, CO 80112 www.stroke.org/donate or call Kristina Sickles at 800-STROKES or Orleans Conservation Trust PO Box 1078, East Orleans, MA 02643, Phone 508-255-0183 or http://www.orleansconservationtrust.org/ or Swarthmore College. Online condolences may be made at www.rappfuneral.com