Describing Art Pappas, friends and coworkers say he was always a gentleman, steward, and good friend. He died April 3, 2010 at the age of 76.
‘Highly respected and a gentleman in every sense of the word,? said Clarkston Councilwoman Peggy Roth.
‘The community has lost a man that epitomized what service in the government should be, he never had his own personal agenda,” said former Mayor Sharron Catallo. “He worked tirelessly for the people that live here, probably put more time into it then they ever realized. He came at it from the standpoint he didn’t want recognition for what he did. He just wanted to do a wonderful job, which he always did.?
Pappas first started to work for the then Village of Clarkston in 1962. He worked as treasurer, clerk, city manager and other posts before retiring in 2008.
Catallo, who worked with Pappas for much of that time, said he was a ‘sounding board? to her and a pleasure to work with.
City Hall Administrative Assistant Marcy Rotondo, who worked with Pappas for 10 years, agreed he was a wonderful man.
‘I learned a lot from him, he was a great mentor, we never had any kind of disputes working together and we always got along,? she said. ‘I don’t think the people of the city realize what the man did for the city. He’s just been a gem all the way around and is going to be missed very, very much.?
Mayor Stephen Arkwright also said Pappas was a great mentor and friend.
‘I will miss him very much. He was chosen as one of the city’s most valuable resources also,? Arkwright said. “(His wife) Maryann is an incredible person, her and the entire family were great to Art and always been great to me and my heart goes out to them.?
Pappas retired from the city on June 30, 2008, at age 74. He began his long tenure with Clarkston when he was appointed village clerk, at the time a part-time elected position, in 1962. In 1972, he switched to the treasurer’s hat, also a part-time elected position, and held the title until 1988 when he retired from his teaching career.
Pappas taught business at Clarkston High School from 1959-1966. His career also included time in Oxford and Walled Lake classrooms, at North Oakland Vocational Center and Oakland Community College.
He retired in June 1988, and by October he was working full-time as Clarkston’s manager and treasurer.
‘Certainly his contributions to the village can’t be compared with anybody else’s,? said Councilman Thomas Hunter.
The city named June 30 as Art Pappas Day and is continuing plans to have City Hall named after him
Art and Maryann also raised four children who went through Clarkston Schools, Katie, Kit, John and Mandy.
‘The whole Clarkston community has lost a really great man and my wife and I have lost a really good friend,? said Doug Roeser.
Roeser recalled when he and his family moved to Clarkston in 1970, voter registration was in Art and Maryann’s living room.
‘The guy was honest, hardworking, confident, personable, and really had a good sense of humor,? he said. ‘We really miss him already.?
Former councilwoman Kristy Ottman agreed.
‘He handled everything from business to his friendships with the utmost respect and integrity,? she said. ‘He was a great steward of the community. He absolutely epitomized everything our city was supposed to be about, which was serving other people.?
Former Councilman Cory Johnston said ‘he was a great man to talk to and took care of business without complaining.?
Laura Colvin, Lake Orion Review editor and former Clarkston News reporter, said she always remember Art as a ‘genuine person a great sense of humor and dedication to everything he did.?
‘He always called me ‘kiddo? and that’s probably what I’ll remember about him the most. It always made me feel good,? Colvin said. ‘I was honored to know him and honored to write about him. He was a good man.?
Funeral service is 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 7, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Bloomfield Hills.
Interment Lakeview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Mercy Hospice. Lewis E. Wint & Son Funeral Home offers an online guest book at www.wintfuneralhome.com.