Hellenic Center Honors Raizes
DOVER, NH -On Saturday, September 22, 2002 several hundred Ahepans, friends, family members, and dignitaries gathered to honor AHEPA Past District Governor Demetrios P. Raizes at the Hellenic Center of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Dover, New Hampshire. Following a tasty catered meal, Master of Ceremonies Gregorios Koutrelakos of Thesseum Chapter 248 introduced the various speakers for the evening: Rev. Dr. Constantine Newman, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Dover; Rev. Dr. Arthur Athans, Cosmos Marandos, AHEPA National Educational Foundation Committee; Mino Gikas, District Governor, AHEPA District 9; Alexandra Gikas, Daughters of Penelope District 9; Vassilios Gatzoulis, President, AHEPA Thesseum Chapter 248; Catherine Blougouras, President, Daughters of Penelope, Itona Chapter 177; Cynthia Kacoyanis; Patti Steinbrueck; Catherine Lazarus; Mary Blougouras, and Anastasia Savramis.

Each speaker, representing his or her group, spoke about the honoree and presented him with a gift on behalf of the organization. In turn, family members of Mr. Raizes took the dais and expressed their support of and pride in his achievements. But common to all addresses were noticeable themes of integrity, kindness, and altruism observed in the honoree. Many marked Demetrios, or “Jim,” Raizes as a good friend, a person who had extended a helping hand on many an occasion, a person whose good will had earned him a fine reputation, both among his peers and the greater community.

Son of the late Peter and Anthipy Raizes, Jim attended Rochester public schools and later earned a B.S in Business Administration from Nasson College. Leadership roles in student groups during his high school years continued later in the Order of Demolay, in the U.S. Army, and on the board of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. A member of the Order of AHEPA since 1960, Raizes has held many offices at the chapter-level and at the District Lodge.


Among his diverse hobbies are fishing, hunting, golfing, and playing the violin. One of the most outstanding performers of Spaulding High School Orchestra, Raizes was appointed to play first violin in the State Orchestra. In addition to his interest in music, he is an active board member of the Hackle and Tackle Club, a fly-fishing organization.

Also a prominent member of the New England business community, Raizes had owned and operated for nearly 40 years the former well-known Nubble Light Dining Room at York Beach, Maine. Married to the late Maria Pappas, Raizes has three daughters and two grandchildren, but counts his title, “Papou,” as his greatest.

Raizes continues to remain active in his local Church community and in the Order of AHEPA as a District Marshal. Central objectives of this Hellenic-American fraternal organization are philanthropy, education, civics, and the promotion of Hellenic culture and heritage through local, district and national efforts. Over the past seventy years, the organization has awarded millions of dollars in direct scholarships to more than two hundred thousand Greek-American students. AHEPA also works to educate American policy-makers and the public on foreign policy issues of concern to Greek-Americans. For more information about the Order of AHEPA, visit the group’s website at http://www.ahepa.org.
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