Arthur Souhleris

In Loving Memory of Our Father

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved father: a man whose life was defined by love, generosity, and unwavering passion.

Our beloved father was born on April 1 in 1933 in the humble and beautiful mountain village of Agoriani, Sparta, Greece to Panagioti and Marigo Souhleris. He entered the world at home, during the depths of the Great Depression, and grew up in the shadows of World War II. These early years shaped his resilience, work ethic, and unwavering appreciation for life. He was raised alongside his three sisters, Helen, Angeliki and Katerina, all of whom preceded him.

From a young age, he discovered his passion and calling in the art of shoemaking. In Greece, he mastered the trade from beginning to end, dedicating himself to craftsmanship with extraordinary discipline and pride. His talent and skill were later recognized internationally, winning awards in Germany and earning him admiration for his exceptional workmanship.

It was through his craft that he met the love of his life, Panagiota Mavrogeorgiou. Our mother, a devoted hospital nurse who spent long hours on her feet, needed specially made shoes for support. Their meeting became the beginning of a lifelong love story. They courted, became engaged, and soon after, he emigrated to Melbourne, Australia, to join his eldest sister, Helen.

Once he was settled, our mother courageously followed, traveling by boat for 30 days to begin their life together. They were married on November 11, 1963.

Together, they built a family and were blessed with two children: a daughter, Maria Rhea, and a son, Peter.

As a father, he was a strict disciplinarian, yet his discipline was rooted in love, passion, and a desire to instill strong values. He taught his children to love life, to work with integrity, to be creative, and to embrace entrepreneurship. Above all, he ensured that Greek heritage, language, and traditions were deeply woven into the fabric of our family. Being Greek was not just an identity to him—it was a responsibility, an honor, and a gift to be passed down.

His professional life was nothing short of extraordinary. He built internationally acclaimed shoe stores and a factory specializing in bespoke, handmade footwear. His creations attracted clients from around the world, many of whom traveled internationally just to be fitted by him. He supplied prestigious boutiques throughout Australia, and his reputation earned recognition from local media. His work was not simply business—it was art, passion, and perfection in motion.

Beyond his career, he was a leader in his community. He served as President of a Greek Association Likourgos, where he worked tirelessly to raise funds for those less fortunate in Greece. His generosity was constant and selfless, always guided by his heart. Despite his success abroad, he deeply missed his family in Greece—his mother, father, and sisters. This longing led him to move his family to the United States, where they established roots in Lynn, Massachusetts.

In later years, he maintained residency in both Athens, Greece and Lynn, Massachusetts, never choosing between the two places he loved most, but instead living fully in both worlds. Greece was his soul. He loved its culture, its people, its music, its beaches, and its spirit. He ensured both his children became Greek citizens so that his heritage would continue to live on through generations.

When asked what he loved to do most, his answers were simple and pure: excursions, dancing, music, and being near the sea. He loved joy. He loved celebration. He loved being surrounded by people, laughter, and life.

Our father had the biggest heart. He gave love freely and without hesitation. He was generous to a fault, affectionate, warm, and welcoming. He had an uncanny ability to turn strangers into friends and friends into family. He was a perfectionist—when he committed to something, it was done with excellence and determination, even if it meant stubborn persistence to reach his goal. He was dynamic, unforgettable, strong in presence, and gentle in spirit. Kind, generous, loving, and endlessly giving, he always put his heart first in everything he did.

He is survived by his daughter, Maria Rhea, and her husband Bill; his son, Peter and his wife, Desi; and his three cherished grandchildren, Constantina Chloe, Christiana, and Athan, who filled his heart with immeasurable pride, joy, and purpose.

Our father passed peacefully in the early morning of December 28, 2025, in Athens, Greece. His heart, which had loved so deeply and given so generously, grew tired, and he fell asleep in the Lord’s hands. He lived a life full of passion, purpose, creativity, love, and generosity. His legacy is not only in the shoes he crafted or the businesses he built, but in the lives, he touched, the culture he preserved, and the love he gave so freely.

He will forever be remembered as a man who loved life, loved people, and gave his heart without reservation.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 71 Chandler Road, Andover, Mass, on Friday, January 16th from 9:30 to 11 A.M, immediately followed by his Funeral Service at 11 A.M. Burial in Pine Grove Cemetery, Boston St., Lynn to follow. A Mercy Meal in honor of Arthur's life will be held at Pellana Prime Steak House, 9R Sylvan St., Peabody, following the graveside service.

 If you plan on attending the mercy meal, PLEASE RSVP via text to Desi at 781-248-4626 

Assisting the family with the arrangements is O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St. DANVERS. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com