Costa Leonidas Papson

January 24, 1932 - February 4, 2020

PAPSON - Costa Leonidas, son of Katina Kessiglou and Leonidas Constantine Papson (Papadopoulos), died on February 4, 2020 of natural causes. He is survived by his wife, Maria Elena Papson, sons Elias and Andreas, daughter Katina, grandchildren Joshua, Naiya and Leonidas, and his sister Vicky Papson. At the time of his death, he was 88 years old. He closed his law office at the Dweck Law Firm, LLP in October 2019. Costa was born in Manhattan, and moved to Long Island at the age of 11. He attended Manhasset High School and was a huge advocate for public education. Bethany College in West Virginia is where he studied liberal arts for his undergraduate degree. Upon returning to New York City, he enlisted in the Army and served a two year tour stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. Subsequently, Costa attended New York Law School and began to practice law in Manhattan. He married Magdalene (Magda) Malavazos, started a family. In 1970, he moved to Riverdale in the Bronx. After the tragic passing of Magda, Costa married his current wife, Maria Elena Papson, with whom he was married to for more than 45 years. Among his numerous hobbies, he spent weekends building his own vacation home in the Catskills Mountains’ town of Windham, New York. Costa had an endearing, gentle demeanor, and was known by those closest to him as "Gus". After his grandchildren were born, he earned a second nickname, "Pappou". He was a tinkerer, a compassionate listener, an empathetic advisor, and a fierce believer in justice and fairness. A celebration of his life will be held on February 6, 2020. The family requests that any gifts in his name be made to either the Native American Children's Fund, St. Jude’s Hospital or Make a Wish Foundation.

Reposing Thursday , February 6th, 4pm-8pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue at West 261st Street.

Funeral Mass Friday, February 7th , 10 am at Annuciation Greek Orthodox Church , 302 West 91st Street, NYC. Interment to follow at Ashland Cemetery , Windham, NY