Emanuel "Manny" Leventelis

Emanuel “Manny” Leventelis departed his loving family peacefully on July 24, 2023 at the age of 95.

Manny was born in South Philadelphia on January 15, 1928 to Soterios and Cleoniki Leventelis and grew up near the South Jersey Shore–where his love of boats and the sea first began. Later, he and his parents moved back to Philadelphia where he graduated from West Philly High in 1945. After high school, he enlisted in the Army serving in World War II in the Philippines and the Japanese occupation. Upon his discharge in 1948 he attended Drexel Institute of Technology, now known as Drexel University. While attending Drexel he maintained military service serving as a Sergeant in the Army Reserve Corp. He also helped found a fraternity of Greek American Students from Temple, Penn, and Drexel. His studies were interrupted by the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, and after returning home he graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration. Soon after, he met his beloved Becky Lascarides at a Greek Dance in Delaware where they shared a couple of dances, but the night ended before he could ask for her phone number. As fate would have it their paths crossed again while in Wildwood and their romance blossomed. They were married in June of 1956. In the early years of their marriage they moved from Philadelphia to Upper Darby and finally settled in Havertown where they built a home together and raised Steven, James and Nikki. Their later years were spent in Broomall. They enjoyed a beautiful 65 year marriage filled with Faith, Love and Understanding.

Manny was a successful entrepreneur, business owner, and sales representative. He loved his shore house, his boats, and fishing. He served the church faithfully as a member of the St. Demetrios Parish Council for more than three decades and President three times in the 1960's and 1970's, and in 1982 became an Archon of the Order of St. Andrew. He was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars “Eleftheria” Post 6633, the Order of AHEPA, and the Freemasons. He was extremely patriotic and proud of his military service, and recently he served as Commander of Eleftheria Post 6633. In his retirement he also enjoyed writing: publishing two books and drafting several other autobiographical and fictional titles.

He was a loving, devoted and loyal husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law and uncle. His faith, strength, positivity, resilience, leadership, humor, work ethic, love and value of learning defined his life. He was always true and consistent. He leaves a wonderful legacy behind and lives on in those he touched and knew him.

He is survived by his children Steven, James(Louise), Nikki Serafim(Taso), his grandchildren Alexia Serafim, Manoli Leventelis, Marianthi Leventelis and John Serafim, his sister-in-law Tina Paninos(Steve), nieces and nephews Greg Paninos(Lisa), Virginia Seiss Child(John), Mark Paninos(Keri), Elizabeth Seiss, and Christine Paninos Salzman(Fr. Anthony). He is reunited in heaven with his beloved Becky.

As he said of Becky when she passed–he is now among the angels above watching over us.

Family and friends are invited to view 10am Wednesday August 2, 2023 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 229 Powell Lane, Upper Darby, PA 19082. Funeral service to begin PROMPTLY at 11am.  Interment following the service in Glenwood Memorial Gardens, Broomall, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Eleftheria VFW Post 6633 scholarship fund in Manny’s name can be mailed to VFW Post 6633, 7716 West Avenue, Elkins Park, PA 19027-2513.

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