Dr. Miltiades P. Chacholiades

CHACHOLIADES, Miltiades (Miltos) Panayiotis, beloved husband, father, grandfather, godfather, uncle, brother, son, colleague, and friend passed away peacefully in his home in Milton, GA surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. He recently celebrated his 85th birthday on June 22, 2022.

The youngest of three children, Miltos was born and raised in the picturesque village of Omodos in the foothills of the Troodos mountains on the island nation of Cyprus. Miltos was extremely proud of his Greek-Cypriot heritage and enjoyed sharing stories about it with everyone he met. He had a deep affinity for Greek history, philosophy, mythology and languages, especially ancient Greek.

During high school, Miltos enjoyed track & field and played on soccer, basketball, and volleyball teams. As an athlete and a scholar who especially loved mathematics, he also wanted more academic challenges and began studying accounting through a correspondence school based in Glasgow and London. He was awarded the certificate of Higher Accounting with high honors from the London Chamber of Commerce before moving to the University of Athens in Greece where he earned his undergraduate degree in Economics. From there, he achieved what he considered his greatest privilege, a full scholarship for graduate studies at MIT in Boston where he earned his Ph.D. in Economics.

Miltos had a distinguished academic career as a Professor of Economics at NYU, UCLA, GSU, and the University of Cyprus. He authored seven textbooks, many on International Economics, that were translated into multiple languages. He also published articles on International Trade & Monetary Theory in several professional journals. He attained his goal of returning to his homeland to become part of the newly formed University of Cyprus and became the first elected Rector in the 1990s. He was also Professor Emeritus of Georgia State University.

Miltos had amazing discipline that helped him achieve all that he accomplished. In addition to his work, he always made time for his family with annual beach and mountain vacations, visits to state parks and swim & tennis clubs. He had a deep love for animals and lovingly cared for the family dogs, cat, birds and fish. He had so much fun taking pictures and photo documenting trips and events. He took photographs or slides and enjoyed narrating home movies of his family that are treasures today. Miltos enjoyed taking his beloved wife, Mary, to the symphony, ballet, and theatre. Miltos & Mary cherished their travels to popular American destinations as well as throughout Europe and northern Africa. A consummate host with his wife, they welcomed others into their home with open arms, food, drink, music and Miltos always shared stories of his adventures. He loved playing games with his daughters, extended family and friends, especially chess, backgammon and cards. He was also well known as a formidable opponent in ping pong!

He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Mary, and his three daughters and their husbands, Lea & Cliff Opdyke of Milton, GA, Marina & James Hickerson of Cumming, GA, Linda Chacholiades & Michael Krajewski of St. Paul, MN and six grandchildren, Alexa, Brendan & Kyra Opdyke and Jacob, Ryan & Katie Hickerson.

In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made in memory of Dr. Miltiades P. Chacholiades to the American Kidney Fund, www.kidneyfund.org

May his memory be eternal!