Gust N. Diamant

Gust N. Diamant, 93, of Canton, passed away peacefully, surrounded with the love of his children and the love and prayers of his extended family and many friends on Saturday morning, January 7, 2023.  Born October 28, 1929, a son of the late Nick and Eugenia Diamantopoulos, Gust grew up in Canton, Ohio. He was a graduate of Canton McKinley High School, Class of 1947.  In 1950 he met the love of his life, Sophia Pappas, and they enjoyed 66 wonderful and beautiful years of marriage prior to her passing in October 2016.  A veteran, he was proud to serve his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War 1951-1953.  Gust is best known for the abundance of love, care and concern he had for his family and for others, his radiant smile, and his strong faith and commitment to his church.  In his early years, he attended St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church and was initiated into the AHEPA Chapter #59, a Hellenic organization promoting education, community, and philanthropy.  In his own words, he was destined to join St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Massillon, Ohio where he also continued his membership in AHEPA Chapter #74.  He was honored to serve as President of the Parish Council from 1985-1991.  Under the guidance of his longtime and beloved friend, the late Reverend Father Constantine Shiepis, he was forever thankful to continue to express his love for God by loving and serving with his parish family for the remainder of his life.  Gust often spoke of Fr. Shiepis and the many great friends, both living and deceased, who he had the honor of working wonders with for St. George’s.  He was one of the first to be bestowed with the honor of the Pittsburgh Metropolis St. Photios Award for service to his church.  He felt he received it not just for himself, but as a representative of the entire St George community and in honor of all the people he had worked with.  He had a deep humility and understanding that he never worked alone but expressed how blessed he was to work with the best and greatest of God’s people for God’s glory.

Preceded in death by his  parents; his beloved wife Sophia (Pappas); brothers, Chris (Helen), Nick (Angie), and Harry, sister, Freda (Louis) Miller and stepfather Frank Daglas.  Gust is survived by a his son Nick (Marcia), grandsons Paul (Kate) and Luke (Christine), great grandchildren Hudson, Lochlan, and Lydia, nieces and nephews Janet, Leo (Cindy), Emilia, Carolyn, Adam, Louis, Steve (Kim), Stephanie, Alyssa, Wendy (Brian), Chris Sue (Dan), Johnathan, Alexander, Georgeann, Melanie, Mary Ann (Mark), Mark, Carissa and Johnathan (Jessica), Alexis, Gavin, Emma—all of whom he had an incredible adoration and love for. After the passing of his beloved wife in 2016, Gust took up keeping in contact and checking in on family and friends with a new zeal.  He loved and respected everyone.  He woke up every morning with a cheerful mission to greet each coming day by connecting with others.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. The family has suggested that in place of additional flowers, donations can be made to the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Massillon Ohio Endowment Fund.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Friday, January 13, 2023, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 364 – 1st Street SE, Massillon, Ohio  44646.  Burial with military honors will follow at West Lawn Cemetery in Canton.  The family will receive condolences from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Friday morning in the church.  Arrangement have been entrusted to Atkinson Feucht Hare Funeral Home in Massillon.

                                                            May his memory be eternal!

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