Elias was born in Alonakia
–Kozanis-Greece and graduated from Kozani’s High School and from the
Athens Police Academy, as a Sergeant. He married Eleftheria ( Freda )
Panapakidou on August 25, 1963 and came to the United States on October
19, 1963. Elias has a daughter, Sonia Tsekerides-Leggio, a son,
Theodore ( Ted ) Tsekerides and five Grand Children: Christopher-Elias
Leggio, Henry-Elias Tsekerides, Sophia Leggio, Thomas Tsekerides and
Charlotte-Helen Tsekerides.
Elias worked for General Motors for 32 years,
from 1964 to 1996, from which the last 20 he was a Union
Representative. He is still an active member at his retiree Chapter and
is the Secretary Treasurer of the Retirees, in Region 9A, of U.A.W. He
has served the Greek Orthodox Community of Prophet Elias Church in
Yonkers, New York, for years in many capacities and during his
Presidency, the New Church was build.
Elias is a proud member of AHEPA at Westchester
Chapter No. 51, in Yonkers, New York and has served in all positions in
his chapter. Elias was District Governor of AHEPA of New York for two
years and Supreme Governor for two years. At the Supreme Convention of
AHEPA in 2007 in Denver, Colorado, Elias was voted AHEPAN OF THE YEAR.
Elias was a District Leader in the Democratic Party
in both the Village of Sleepy Hollow and the Town of Mt. Pleasant and
was a Treasurer in both Committees, and also served in the Recreation
Committee of the Village of Sleepy Hollow. In 1996, he was an Alternate
Delegate to the National Democratic Convention in Chicago, Ill. and was
among the regular Delegates, when President Clinton was declared a
candidate for a second term. He served in various positions in the
Eastern District Soccer League where he became a LIFE Member and also
served as a Trustee in the Southern New York State Soccer Association.
Elias was President of the Pan-Pontian Federation of
the United States and Canada for many years and President of the
Pontian Society “ Pontos” of Norwalk, CT. for 12 Years. He also served
as an Alternate President and later President of the International
Confederation of Pontian Hellenes.
In 2005, he was also honored by the “ Panagia
Soumela Potion Amerikis and Canada” for
his valuable services to the Society and in 2008 by his Village in
Greece “ for promoting the Greek-Pontian Culture”. He was also honored
by the Pontian Society “Pontos”, for his many years of service and
dedication to the Club and for his tireless efforts in bringing matters
that concern the Pontian Heritage to the forefront. He has served the
Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, in Astoria, New
York, as a Board member, Treasurer, Public Relations, Parade
Coordinator and also as Chairman of the Parade for two years.
On June 19, 2010, he was elected President of the
Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York. The Greek News
Paper “The National Herald”, dedicated their February 12-13, 2011
weekend “ Periodiko” Magazine to him . He was also on the cover of
Eseis Magazine and on April 12, 2011, Elias was honored by the
Comptroller of the City of New York for his contribution to the
Community.