LARRY LAZAROS ANASTAS

How do I pen the essence of my brother in three paragraphs? My brother Larry (Lazaros), son of Sam and Mary Anastas, passed away on Friday, June 23, 2023. There are no words to express the pain that goes to the very depth of my soul. In the past 18 months, Larry had 7 cardiac arrests, mostly while on dialysis. You stood at the door, but every time you came back, you were brought back. God brought you back. God listened and responded to the thousands of prayers said for you all around the world. You were resilient, the multi-miracle man, blessed by God. But the blessing was to me. You were a gift to me. You were brought back to me. You said, "How do we know if we have faith, if it is never tested?" Saint Paul said, "rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." Larry had all those qualities.

On your last cardiac arrest, at the dialysis center, they performed CPR for 25 minutes, and your heart re-started again. This time I wasn't anxious. I figured and prayed, that God would do it again, that you would be sitting in the chair, looking at me, as I walked in, just like every other time. But God had other plans. And as things got worse, no movement, no eyes, no twitching, you waited until all the cousins surrounded you, and Father said the prayers. Before you left us, we saw the slow, slow, stream of tear drops flowing from the corner of your eyes. A sign from you or a sign from God? A mystery. Rest in peace brother, God has a mansion built for you. SAM

We were partners in business, side by side, for over 30 years, different as fire and water, same as blood on blood. You were humble, kind-hearted, "the nice brother," a devout and generous man who dedicated his life to the Orthodox Church, teaching and supervising the Sunday school and Vacation Bible school programs, chairing the Grecian Festival numerous times, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, and laughing and talking with people for hours. You touched so many lives on your mission trips and your travels to all seven Continents. You took care of mom when she was ill with patience and kindness. The world is a better place because you were here. Through it all, the good, the bad, the illness, you never complained, you never complained. You gave glory to the love of God. You fought the good fight. You ran the race with endurance. You finished the course. You kept your faith. And now you receive your crown of righteousness.

Family and friends will be received Thursday, June 29, 2023 from 5-8 p.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Canton. Trisagion prayers at 7:30 p.m. Family and friends will also be received from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, June 30, 2023, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Funeral services to begin in the church at 11 a.m., with Rev. Fr. Nicholas Halkias officiating. Interment at Forest Hill Cemetery.

ROSSI (330) 492-5830

www.rossifuneralhomeinc.com