Colonel Paul Coroneos is now on his final and permanent tour of duty after a distinguished and decorated Military and Professional career that included WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam. He will be welcomed by his wife Harriet, his father and mother, Peter and Athina Coroneos, and sister Helen Psihogios.
Born on March 2, 1929 to Peter and Athena Coroneos, Paul spent his youth in both Champaign-Urbana and in Chicago, Illinois. He was of first generation Greek heritage and belonged to the Greek Orthodox Christian faith. At the young age of 17, Paul received permission from his parents to enlist with the Marine Corp and served in WWII during the European Occupation with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. Upon completing his tour of duty, Paul was accepted at the University of Illinois and entered the Reserve Officer Training Program where he received a Degree in Law and was Commissioned as a 2nd Lt with the US Army. His distinguished career included assignments all over the world. Of notable distinction, Paul Commanded a Hawk Missile Battery during the Korean War, on the General’s Staff during Vietnam, Commander of a Hawk Missile Group during the height of the Cold War in Germany, and Military Attache during the Panama Canal Treaty negotiations. Paul served our Country for 31 years and retired from the Military in 1979.
After his Military retirement, Col. Coroneos joined Textron Corporation as Middle East Marketing Manager, and served 17 years with Offices in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Athens, Greece.
In 1953, Paul met the love of his life, Harriet Kritselis, while on assignment in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan and was married for 61 years. When he was a young Captain stationed at the US Command in Heidelberg, Germany, Paul and Harriet adopted two boys from Athens, Greece, Peter and Frank. With very close family and friends, Paul cherished every moment with Harriet and their two sons.
Upon retiring from Textron Corporation in 1996, Paul and Harriet split their time between residences in the US and in Greece where they enjoyed World travel and home entertaining for family and friends. There was no one better at this than Harriet as she was an amazing Host and Chef for all of those that stopped by.
During the past 5 years, Paul fought his bravest battle through the struggles of Parkinson’s disease and Covid isolation. With the help and comfort of loving Caregiver Rosalinda Arellano, he fought the disease to the very end. Her constant presence, as his living angel was a gift from God to us all.
Paul was a faithful member of The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas, Texas and cherished every Sunday listening to the sermons and visiting with his friends.
Paul is survived by his son’s families who live in the Dallas Metroplex: Peter & Panagiota Coroneos and Frank & Teri Coroneos. He leaves four Grandchildren: Paul Alexander, Katerina and husband Robert Reilly, Paul Frank and his wife Elise with their son Sebastian, and Christina and husband Thomas Schipper with their son Tommy. He is also survived by his sister Theresa Tzakis of Vernon Hills, Illinois.
The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either The Greek-American Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Centre: 220 First Street, Wheeling, Illinois 60090 or to The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church: 13555 Hillcrest Rd, Dallas, TX 75240
Funeral Service Friday 12:00PM at Transfiguration of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Chapel at Elmwood Cemetery. Arrangements by John G. Adinamis Funeral Director, Ltd., 847-375-0095.
May His Memory Be Eternal.