Louis N. Heliotis
Highly decorated World War II Army veteran and former POW
Louis N. Heliotis, 92, of North Andover, formerly of Lowell, died on his birthday, Thursday, March 9th at his home with his loving family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Suzanne (Baghdayan) Heliotis who survives him and with whom he celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in November of last year.
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, March 9, 1925, a son of the late Nicholas and the late Catherine (Katsaros) Heliotis, he attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School in the Class of 1943.
A veteran of World War II, Louis proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and participated in action at the invasion of Normandy, Northern France, Southern France, Rhineland, the Battle of the Bulge at Ardennes and Central Europe. He spent 10 months as a prisoner of war in Stalag 9C after his capture during the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with 6 Service Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the Bronze Star for bravery, and the POW Medal. He also was a recipient of the Purple Heart as a result of wounds sustained in battle at Nuremberg.
In 2006, Louis was one of 18 elite American World War II veterans to be honored, amid full military honors, with the National Order of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest honor. He received congratulatory letters from both President Bush and French President Jacques Chirac.
Before retiring, he was employed as a Machinist with Raytheon Corporation for over 37 years.
Louis was a lifelong member of the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell where he also served on the Board of Directors.
Among his many interests, he enjoyed reading, music, and dancing, Greek picnics and loved traveling especially to Greece. He was a member of the Lowell Masonic Lodge for over 50 years and was a Master Mason, the highest degree in Freemasonry. However, being all about family, his greatest joy was the quality time he was able to spend with his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife Suzanne, Louis is survived by two daughters Catherine Ramalho and her husband Michael of Pelham, NH and Ann Marie Stelman and her husband Michael of Goffstown, NH; two granddaughters Ashley A. Ramalho and Emily S. Stelman; a grandson Nicholas J. Ramalho; a sister-in-law Annette DerMinassian of North Tewksbury; and a brother-in-law Emmanuel Baghdayan of North Tewksbury.
He was also grandfather of the late Alexander Picanso and brother of the late George N. Heliotis and the late Sara Heliotis.
There will be no calling hours. Friends are invited to attend his Funeral Service on Thursday morning at the TRANSFIGURATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH in Lowell at 11 o’clock (PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH). Burial will follow in Westlawn Cemetery. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 25 Fr. John Sarantos Way, Lowell, MA 01852. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME, Lowell, MA (978) 458-8768.
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