Anthony John Papalas II

Anthony John Papalas II, known to all as Tony, passed away early Saturday morning, February 7, 2026, at the age of 86. Friends and family are invited to a memorial reception at Caf? Duo at 505 Red Banks Road in Greenville from 2:15-4:30 PM on Saturday February 21. He was born in Detroit in 1939, into a family of Greek immigrants, and was raised in nearby Lincoln Park, Michigan. From an early age, he exercised his independence?taking the bus on his own at five years old to attend Tigers games, paying a nickel for admission, and seeing the home team win the 1945 World Series. His enthusiasm for sports extended to the Lions and Red Wings, though baseball remained closest to his heart. Tony's greatest passion, however, was Greece. He was deeply committed to the study of the people, their history, language, and Ikaria, the Aegean island from where his parents emigrated. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Wayne State University and completed a PhD in Classics at the University of Chicago. After a year teaching at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, he accepted a position at East Carolina University and moved to Greenville in 1970, where he would spend four decades teaching history. Shortly after his arrival at ECU, Tony met Marie Francoise Malherbe at a reception for newly appointed faculty hosted by Chancellor Leo Jenkins. They married and made Greenville their home. Tony was curious about people and their stories, and he had a remarkable memory for details?qualities that fostered enduring friendships with colleagues, students, members of the community, and fellow golfers. In recent years, he spent much of his time at home, reading, writing, watching films, and playing with his cats. Tony was preceded in death by his parents John A. and Mary Kefalos Papalas, and his cherished wife Francoise. He is survived by his sister Kay Batsakes, his daughters, Rene Pesci and Mary Laura Papalas, his son-in-law Rahul Thapar, his son John Anthony Papalas III, and by his beloved granddaughter Gabrielle Gaston. The family kindly requests please no gifts or flowers. Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com