Obituary of Athan Baskous

Schenectady - Athan (Tom) Baskous passed away on April 7, 2016. He was 94. A lifelong resident of Schenectady, he graduated from Mt. Pleasant HS in 1939 and was awarded a scholarship to Cornell, where he graduated with honors in Civil Engineering, and later received a Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan. Mr. Baskous served in the Army Air Corp from 1943 to 1946, and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. The focus of his military service involved controlling the malaria epidemic that was devastating our troops in the South Pacific. Mr. Baskous saw the start of NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and served as its Regional Director. He was actively involved in implementing the major reforms in the 60s and 70s in environmental quality. His technical expertise was balanced with a deep respect for nature. He was predeceased by his parents, Alex and Beatrice; his wife, Dena Xanthos; his wife, Bertha Caranikas; his brothers, George and Dan. He is survived by his son, Alexander (Maria); his daughter, Patricia (David Lambert); his grandchildren, Thanos, Dena, (Nick Pratsos), Aristotle, Steven, Holly, (Steve Reilly); and great-grandchildren, Madeleine, Benjamin, and Alexander Reilly. He was a lifelong member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, where he served on the Board of Directors. He was a man of many interests including tennis, sailing, hiking, fishing, music performance and instrument restoration. He approached each activity with dedication, enthusiasm, and a complete knowledge base of reading research. He was a member of the Adirondack Fiddlers, the Classical Mandolin Society, the Clifton Commons Senior Orchestra, and the Schenectady Tennis Association. He was a mannerly gentleman at all times and appreciated and valued his friends in these groups. He enjoyed time with his family, leading them on wonderful travel adventures, camping trips and hikes, and playing checkers with his great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed. A calling hour will be held on Friday, April 15, 2016 from 2 to 3 p.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. The funeral service will follow promptly at 3 p.m., with burial at Parkview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 107 Clinton St. Ext., Schenectady, NY 12305 or City Mission of Schenectady, 425 Hamilton St., Schenectady, NY 12305. Arrangements by Daly Funeral Home, Inc., 242 McClellan St., Schenectady, NY.