Harry V. Demissianos

Harry V. Demissianos, M.D., died peacefully on January 20, 2019, at his home in Lawrence, Michigan.  He was born January 16, 1928, in Paris, France to Vasilis and Sofia Demissianos.  He grew up in Athens, Greece, and attended Athena College from 1937 – 1947, where he was valedictorian of his prep school class. In 1947, he matriculated to Bowdoin College in Maine. After receiving his B.S. from Bowdoin he attended Harvard Medical School, where he received his medical degree. He then moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan where he joined the Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company, later becoming Director of Experimental Medicine. On April 22, 1972, Harry was united in marriage to Glenda Smith Watts, who survives him. A physician by training and an industrial research manager for a good part of his life, Harry later developed a passion for photography – especially of his beloved Greece. His photographs have been exhibited in galleries in Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Niles, among other locations.  Many of his photographs are in the homes of family and friends. Harry had a high intelligence, great curiosity and a zest for life. He enjoyed travel and seeing new and interesting places. Sometimes when traveling he would even trip or run into things because he was such an eager and interested tourist who loved to take in all that a location offered.  He was a great lover of music and art, enjoying concerts and the theater. In addition to his wife, Harry is survived by his daughter Zoe Livingston-Poole (Eric), a granddaughter Megan (Gilbert) Gagne and four great-grandchildren, as well as cousins in Greece and loyal friends. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.