Julie Demos Tsirimokos

The Heavenly Choir of Angels welcomed a radiant new soprano as Julie Tsirimokos, 91, of Newport News VA, passed away peacefully in Manchester NH, her childhood hometown, early on the morning of March 25, 2024. 

Julie first entered this world on August 20, 1932, the youngest of five children born to Stefanos and Vasiliki (Kalantzis) Demos. Blessed with an adult larynx, she joined the adult choir of St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Manchester, at the tender age of nine where her talent drew the notice of then Archbishop of North and South America Athenagoras who named her “The Nightingale of the Church.” As a young teenager, she served as the principal soprano soloist for the New Hampshire A Cappella Chorus, soloed regularly for multiple special events and weddings, and, at Central High School (Class of 1950), her brilliant coloratura and stage presence shone in leading roles in all the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas drawing offers from multiple professional entities, including the prestigious D’Oyly Carte Opera Company of London. Life had different plans for her, however, and in 1950, following her heart, Julie chose to marry her high school sweetheart, George Xenophon Tsirimokos, the true love of her life. Wed at St. George’s on Christmas Day, they would go on to enjoy a remarkable seventy-four-year lifetime of romance and adventure. Upon George’s commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force, Julie became a proud military wife and supporter even as their assignments took them from their New Hampshire home around the world to Florida, Texas, Germany, France, California, Greece, and the Far East. Even while raising two children, son, Thomas, and daughter, Laurel, Julie’s considerable musical and theatrical talents, her warm and generous nature, and her gracious outgoing personality led to life-long professional and social friendships all across the world.  She was equally charming, open-hearted, and admired in every setting, whether in Europe or Southeast Asia, enamoring our NATO allies with her special magic, diplomacy, and talent and creating lifelong friends the world over. Professionally, she graced stages, film studios, TV studios, and concert halls, while still active in a broad range of volunteer and charitable work from the American Red Cross to supporting the troops, yet her main love was always with the stage giving memorable performances still remarked on today by her many fans. Julie was especially identified with her roles as Golde in “Fiddler on the Roof” and Aldonza in “Man of La Mancha”, and the late theater critic Mal Vincent judged Julie’s performances as equal “to the best of them.”

An avid reader and gardener, a talented chef, lover of antiques, champion of the downtrodden both human and animal, Julie was a devoted and beloved matriarch to her extended family, and to everyone she met. Her home was a haven to many, full of beloved pets, warm gatherings, and cherished memories. Her sense of adventure, and her compassion for others never diminished, and her love of singing never ceased even to her last day. She is greatly missed.

She was predeceased by her beloved parents, her brother, Harry Demos, and her sisters Penelope Cacavas, Lillian Dal Pra, and Frances Clarkin, all of Manchester NH. She is survived by her beloved husband, George, daughter Laurel and fiancée Victor of Newport News, Virginia, son Thomas and daughter-in-law Virginia, grandchildren George and Stephanie, all of Manchester, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and the myriad friends whose lives she enriched through her warmth and talent.  

Julie will begin her journey to Paradise on Thursday, March 28th with visitation from 9:30-10:30am in the Cathedral of St. George, 650 Hanover Street in Manchester. Father Demetri Costarakis will officiate her funeral at 10:30am. A traditional Lenten luncheon will follow the interment in Pine Grove Cemetery, Manchester.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in her memory be made to Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, or on-line at secure.childrenshospital.org.