Obituary of The Very Rev. Fr. Louis Mahshie

THE VERY REVEREND ARCHPRIEST FATHER LOUIS MAHSHIE The Very Rev. Fr. Louis Mahshie, 80, passed into the arms of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Thursday, August 27, 2015. He left behind him a rich legacy of service – spanning 55 years - to his Antiochian Orthodox Christian Faith, to the parishes he served and to legions of people throughout our community and beyond who were enriched by his outstanding dedicated service, his kindness, his generosity, his modesty, and his legacy of rich outpouring of Christ's love. Spreading the good news of faith in Jesus Christ and doing good works for those in need is the two-fold mission that Fr. Lou defined for Akron's St. George Church. He leaves a parish of 200 families with a thriving Sunday School, adult and youth organizations, choir, and bible studies. Fr. Lou played an instrumental role in founding St. Matthew Orthodox Church in North Royalton, and St. Luke the Evangelist Orthodox Mission in Solon, Ohio. Before coming to Akron in 1978, Fr. Lou served St. George parish in Washington, D.C. and also established St. Mary Church in nearby Baltimore, serving both congregations for 13 years. Fr. Lou studied at Syracuse University and Le Moyne College in Syracuse and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline MS, and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminar in Crestwood NY. After being ordained to the priesthood in 1963, he also earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology in 1972 from Catholic University in Washington. Fr. Lou was born September 4, 1934, in Syracuse NY, the youngest of 8 children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Olga (N'Sair) Mahshie, and siblings Mary (Louis) Reale and Nicholas Mahshie. He is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years Corinne; and children Louis (Amy) and David Mahshie and Tammy (Dano) Mundy; grandchildren Daniel and Michael Mundy; siblings Henry (Louise, dec.) and Jim (Addie) Mahshie, Helen (Alex, dec.) Abdo, Edna (Joe, dec.) Zeppetello, and Hazel (Don) Conan; and by his extended family throughout our community and beyond who will always remember him with the deepest of affection and appreciation. Fr. Lou, known as the "Priest of Portage Lakes", enjoyed boating on the lakes and spending time with his "Laker" family and friends. We are grateful for the care and comfort extended to Fr. Lou by the dedicated staffs at Summa Hospital 7th floor, Select Specialty Hospital and Summa Hospice. Father Lou will lie in state from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m on Monday, August 31 and 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday September 1 in St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 3204 Ridgewood Road Akron, OH 44333. Trisagion will be Monday at 8:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated Tuesday 10:00 a.m. and will be followed immediately by the Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Fr. Lou may be made to the St. George Building Fund, St. George Needy Fund or the St. George Foundation. (Anthony, 330-724-1281, anthonyfh.com)