Sideris

Published by The National Herald, January 14, 2005

Community Mourns the Loss of Dr. M. Sideris

By Stavros Marmarinos
Special to The National Herald

NEW YORK – Dr. Michael Sideris, a well-known physician, founder and former president of the organization, Greek American Affairs, and former president of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, passed away suddenly last Friday evening, January 7.

Dr. Sideris suffered a fatal heart attack at the Mount Sinai Hospital, where he had been transferred last Wednesday, January 5 at 1:30 AM, after suffering from high blood pressure.

"He was gone in a few hours," said his widow Niki Sideris, who chairs New York’s Ronald McDonald House Greek Division, told The National Herald this past Monday, January 10. "He did not have any great health problems lately," she added. "Losing a man is one thing; but losing a great man is another."

Dr. Sideris was born in Athens, Greece where he began his medical studies. He came to the United States to continue his medical studies in Psychiatry under a scholarship. Dr. Sideris was stationed at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan for five years.

Apart from his activities in the medical profession, Dr. Sideris is best known for his tireless dedication to the community of New York. Since the news of his sudden death broke off, prominent community members have expressed their condolences to the physician’s widow, including Consul General of Greece in New York Catherine Boura and Captain Michael Sarlis, Port Commander for the Greek Consulate in New York, who had recently presented the deceased with an honorary plaque for "his continuous and immeasurably valuable service to his country" during a Christmas celebration held in the late doctor’s honor last month, hosted by the RMH Greek Division.

Others spoke to The National Herald about Dr. Sideris’ passion for Hellenic issues. "He was successful, respected and very cooperative," Mr. Tasos Manesis, himself a former president of the Federation. "I read the news in the Herald, and I was dumbstruck," he added. "I always loved and respected him."

Mr. Manesis recalled that the years of Dr. Sideris’ Federation presidency (he was appointed in 1975) were difficult ones for the community, but said the physician consistently managed to maintain a positive attitude toward, and energy level for, Greek American activities.

"He was the one that brought Telly Savalas to our Greek Independence Day Parade back then," Mr. Manesis recalled. "We got a lot of attention from the American media, and thousands of Americans flooded Fifth Avenue to watch television’s famous Kojak."

John Mallios, who succeeded Dr. Sideris for the Federation presidency, concurred: "He was always striving for the good of the omogeneia. During those difficult years, he managed to work very peacefully with the Archdiocese."

Nick Diamandidis, current Federation President, said Dr. Sideris was one of the Greek American community’s true gems: "He was a great man and a great scientist," "He elevated the omogeneia and will be greatly missed," Mr. Diamandidis told the Herald from Florida.

Drs. Arthur N. & Athena S. Papas, niece of the late Dr. Sideris and her husband, furnished the National Herald with the following obituary:

Dr. Michael Sideris’ life speaks eloquently of dedication to help others. He started in Athens, born in Plaka facing the Parthenon. While still attending medical school in Athens, the Second World War suddenly shattered his youthful dreams. He followed the lead of other family members and joined the Resistance as a member of Midas Unit 614, a group of stalwart, courageous and dedicated men and women whose mission was to spy on the Nazi Germans; sabotage the German occupation; and relay valuable wireless information to the British.

Additionally, Dr. Sideris and his father, through his father’s factory, had helped changed the identity of several Jews to help them escape. He was captured once by the Germans, and then was injured by a bullet, which shattered his leg when he tried to escape. He eventually managed to escape and was treated by a close friend, Dr. Sofronis, who hid him until his could recover. Healed, he returned to Unit 614, but he and his father, and other escapees were betrayed.

Dr. Sideris and his father were captured by the Secret Service and kept in a dungeon at 6 Merlin Street in total darkness, and sentenced to death. Each morning, they were herded together with other prisoners, and the day’s victims for the death squad were selected. When repeated attempts to force him to talk failed, over a six-month period, they began to beat his father so severely, the man lost hearing in his left ear. Through the intercession of a cousin, who was a classmate of a high-ranking SS officer, the family was able to effect his release by paying the SS commander 2000 gold liras.

When Dr. Sideris was released in 1944, he completed his studies at medical school. He was then drafted into the Greek Army as a medical officer and served in the Civil War in the mountains of northern Greece for three and a half years. He treated the wounded along the front lines and fought alongside the soldiers he was supposed to tend. Once, surrounded by the Communists, he held the enemy off for three days, fighting with his wounded soldiers. The Greek Government twice decorated him for his dedicated service with its highest honor, the Medal for Distinguished and Humanitarian Services.

By 1951, Dr. Sideris had trained as a cardiologist at the University of Athens Clinic at Evangelismos Hospital, but he decided to advance his studies in the United States. He worked at the Jewish Hospital in Brooklyn, and then the City Hospital in Queens. He first went to work as a physician at Concord State Hospital in New Hampshire. There, he was introduced to Psychiatry, which appealed to his romantic, philosophic nature. He had an overwhelming curiosity about how the human mind works, and he was an extraordinary judge of character. His analytic perspective on people, coupled with his love of Medicine, led to constant reading of medical journals and a thirst for discussion and continued learning. This took him back to school with a grant from New York University to finish his formal psychiatric training at Mt. Sinai, where he stayed on as a staff member. He became a Clinical Director at the Manhattan Psychiatric Center, while maintaining a psychiatric practice in midtown Manhattan and Queens. He remained knowledgeable of advances in Medicine and Psychiatry until the very end.

Despite working long hours, he found time for community service. He served as President of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York. He organized the Annual Greek Independence Day Parade for four consecutive years. He helped organize a strong lobbying effort for Cyprus, attracting more than 50,000 people to march in Washington in 1978. He also founded the Council for Greek American Affairs in hopes of uniting Greeks representing all fields of endeavor. The Council’s objectives were to "cultivate and reinforce relations between Greece and the United States in cultural, economic and strategic areas," and to "find and support solutions in matters of mutual interest and concern."

For his services to the Greek Orthodox Church, Dr. Sideris was honored with the offikion (honorary title and responsibility) of Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. His entire life was dedicated to the practice of Medicine; to creating ties between his country of origin and his adopted country; and to his family and patients. He inspired his niece and nephew to follow his example and motivated them to enter the healing professions through their practice of Dentistry, teaching and making their own contributions through their lives of service. His wife of 35 years, Niki, has been his partner in dedication to service in her capacity as energetic worker and dynamic Chairperson of the Greek Division of the Ronald McDonald House in New York for the past 18 years.

We honor and celebrate the life of a wonderful husband, a loving brother and uncle, a committed community leader, and a great and generous man whose accomplishments will live long in our memories.

A viewing for Dr. Sideris was held this past Tuesday, January 11 at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of Holy Trinity in Manhattan, with Bishop Philotheos of Meloa officiating. His body was transported to Greece for funeral services on Friday, January 14. Burial was held on Friday at the Second Cemetery of Athens. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mr. Sideris’ memory to the Holy Trinity Cathedral.



Volume 7 Number 3 - Tuesday, January 18th, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY