Reverend Father Joseph J. Tzougros

Reverend Father Joseph J. Tzougros, Economos

“Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Reverend Father Joseph J. Tzougros, Father Joe as he is known to all, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, January 9, 2026. He served Greek Orthodox parishes throughout Wisconsin and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago and was the longest-serving priest of the parish of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Madison.

Father Joe was active in the Church from a young age. He joined the church choir at the age of ten and at the age of 18 led the choir, for his very first time, at the ordination of a priest. Following the service, Archbishop Michael thanked him and told the congregation that he believed that Joseph would be a priest someday.

After a stint in the army, Father Joe received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from New York University and worked for many years for General Electric; first in Syracuse, NY and then in Milwaukee, WI. It was in Milwaukee that he revisited his dream of becoming a priest.

In 1973, he pursued the new “Priest with Lay Profession” program offered by the Archdiocese through his home parish of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Milwaukee. On April 20, 1975, Father Joseph was ordained a deacon by Bishop Timotheos of Chicago of blessed memory and after two years of on-the-job training, His Grace elevated Father Joseph to the priesthood on August 20, 1977.

From 1975 on, Father Joe maintained dual careers. He held a variety of management positions at General Electric while at the same time serving as the Assistant Priest at Annunciation Milwaukee, temporary priest at SS. Constantine and Helen, Wauwatosa, and serving parishes in need of clergy throughout the Diocese, including Madison. At General Electric Medical Systems, he worked on the development of the CT and MRI scanners, and at various times managed design, drafting and graphics services, shop operations, and completed his career as manager of union relations.

In 1982, Bishop Iakovos assigned him temporarily to Assumption Madison. Father Joe often worked seven days a week, with his weekends full of church responsibilities. There were many days when he would leave his office at GE and attend to a church community need. Fortunately, his position in the company, and his understanding superiors, allowed him the freedom to serve his parishioners.

During Father Joseph’s time at Assumption, the parish grew three-fold, and the Church underwent many physical changes; the Sunday School was renovated, and the office was modernized. Father Joe’s favorite work was with youth through Boy Scouts, Sunday School, Altar Boys (God Squad), JOY and GOYA, Vacation Bible School, and years of summer and winter Youth Camps.

In addition to his church duties in Madison, Father Joseph was the Treasurer of the Orthodox Clergy Syndesmos of Wisconsin; the Treasurer of the Chicago Clergy Syndesmos; and a Clergy representative on the Chicago Diocesan Council. He was Treasurer of the University Religious Workers of UW-Madison and was a founding member of the Orthodox Christian Charities of Wisconsin. He also served as an Emergency Room Chaplain at Waukesha Memorial Hospital, and Chairman of Children’s Service Society and President of Waukesha Symphony

All the many years of devotion and accomplishment could not have been attained without the Hand of God, Father Joseph’s profound faith, the spiritual guidance of his Metropolitan, and the loving support of Prezvytera Vasiliki, their family, fellow clergyman, and beloved parishioners.

Father Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, George and Anthoula Tzougros, his sister, Ann Elaine, and his in-laws Theodore and Corinne Katsigris. He is survived by his wife, Prezvytera Vasiliki, his sister Penelope, and his children George (Maria), Joseph (Helene), and Corinna (Spiro); grandchildren Theodore (Megan) Thomas and Naida Tzougros; Vasiliki, Dimitri, and Joseph Fafalios; Sophia, Alexandra, Gabriella, Eleni, and Joseph Tzougros; and great grandson Harrison Thomas.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2160 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53213; Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 11 N. 7th Street, Madison, WI 53711; or Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 9400 W. Congress St., Milwaukee, WI 53225.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 15 from 4 - 7 pm, followed by a Trisagion service; a Divine Liturgy will be held Friday, January 16 at 9 am, with funeral service at 11 am. All services to be held at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2160 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53213.