Louis Bouffides, 92, died Thursday at the Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation in West Hartford, in the company of his children.

He was born in Palmer, Massachusetts, the fourth child of Evangelos and Aikaterini Bouffides, Greek immigrants from the province of Epiros, from the town of Polichani in present-day Albania. He was educated in the Palmer schools and was graduated from Palmer High School in 1945. Immediately after graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and served in Italy, in the Army of Occupation, in 1945-46. After military service, he returned to Palmer, where he worked for many years at the American Standard plant in Monson, and, later, at the Monson Developmental Center.

In 1963, he married Theodota Scliopou Bouffides, a recent immigrant from Greece, and together they raised a family in Palmer. The couple moved in 1999 to Longmeadow, Massachusetts and in 2012 to Glastonbury, Connecticut.

Louis enjoyed hard physical labor, particularly in his garden, and was a devoted Bible reader. He loved discussing scripture with friends and family. A loyal, kind and sociable man with an incredibly strong spirit, he derived great joy from his family life, relishing time spent with his children and grandchildren and frequently recalling visits with close relatives in Brockton, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; and Norwich, Connecticut.

He belonged to the American Legion and he and his wife were enthusiastic members of the Senior Citizens Club at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he was a life-long parishioner.

He was predeceased by his wife, Theodota, and his siblings Arthur, Mary and Christine. He is survived by his children Catherine (Andrew) Walsh of Glastonbury, Connecticut and Evan (Nancy) Bouffides of Downey, California. He is also survived by his beloved nieces and nephews Valerie (Ken) Ross, Pauline (William) Balutis, Peter (Mary) Tselikis and Steve (Marsha) Scliopou and their families, by his brother in-law, Ernie Tselikis, by his cousin, George (Ruth) Costas, and by his good friend Bob Wein.  His granddaughters, Alexandra and Julia Walsh, were the apples of his eye and his greatest joy.

His funeral will take place on Tuesday, March 5, at 9:30 a.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Springfield, MA with burial to follow in Oak Grove Cemetery. The family wishes to express its special thanks to the "2 South" nurses, hospice workers and staff at the Hebrew Center for their tender care of our father, particularly in his final days. Memorial donations may be sent to St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 22 St. George Road, Springfield, MA 01104.