Harry Elias

Charalambous “Harry” Elias, 78, passed away in the early morning hours of May 8th, 2026. He was born on April 29th, 1948 in Agia Varvara, Cyprus to Andreas and Anna Elias, before immigrating to the United States as a young boy. Never one to quit anything, Harry spent many years as a warrior fighting both Parkinson’s disease and MDS, continuing to enjoy life and make memories with those he cared about most for as long as he possibly could. After coming of age in New York, Harry proudly served in the United States Navy, spending the majority of his time aboard the USS Detroit (AOE-4), on which he was able to see the world and give back to the country that took him in as a child and became his new home. Before and then after his military service, Harry worked his way up from the mail room at CBS Records and Columbia House in New York to eventually become Vice President of Video Marketing. Throughout his decades working there, he always looked back with the greatest feeling of honor and accomplishment. One of his proudest achievements was bringing TV series like The Carol Burnett Show, I Love Lucy, and Star Trek to the public as ownable VHS collections (remember those?) for the first time. Harry never stopped speaking fondly of his co-workers and those he felt he had been lucky enough to mentor. His career also gave him the opportunity to care for his family and raise his children with his wife Millie in Dumont, New Jersey, which he called home for 42 years. He was active in all three of his kids’ lives, from their interest and participation in sports, music, schooling, and everything in between. These were also all the moments during which he made many treasured lifelong friends. Harry loved the people in his life and truly considered it a privilege to play a part in all of theirs. Mentor, coach, coworker, friend. Godfather, brother-in-law, uncle. Nephew, cousin, son, brother. Papou, father, husband. These are the titles that mattered more to him than anything else. Harry cheered for the Yankees, lost hair watching the Jets, and always had hope for the Knicks. He was the best dancer in the room but wanted you to join in, too. He was highly intelligent but never spoke down to anyone and always encouraged open discussion. He might not have shared your newest passion, but if it made you happy, Harry was nothing but excited for you to keep pursuing it. He was your number one fan, and he was always just a phone call away if you needed absolutely anything. If Harry were at his own funeral, he’d check in with everyone and want to make sure they were okay. If we could all be more like him, the world would be an infinitely better place. Harry is survived by his favorite person, forever dance partner, and loving wife of over 54 years Mildred “Millie” Elias; his three beloved children, Andrew Elias, Stephanie (Justin) Stokes, and Peter (Lindsay) Elias; two grandchildren, the lights of his life, Emmett & Eliza Stokes; brother Charles (Suzanna) Elias; two brothers-in-law, Robert Thobae and William Thobae; sister-in-law Ruth Elias; and his many adored nieces, nephews, other family members, and cherished friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andreas and Anna; brother, Gus Elias; sisters-in-law Angie Thobae and Audrey Thobae; and his in-laws, Herbert and Mildred Thobae. Harry’s family would like to thank his oncologist, Dr. Brian Kim, and the team members at Englewood Hospital for the continued care they provided Harry and family. They were all nothing short of amazing throughout the many trials and tribulations along the way. Visitations for Harry will be held on Wednesday, May 13th, from 2:00-4:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM at Barrett Leber Funeral Home in Tenafly, NJ. The funeral service will be on Thursday, May 14th, at 11:00 AM, at St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church in Tenafly, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The American Parkinson Disease Association PO Box 61420 Staten Island, NY 10306 https://www.apdaparkinson.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/ The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research P.O. Box 501 Hagerstown, MD 21741 https://www.michaeljfox.org/ways-to-support-parkinsons-research

Harry Elias

May 8, 2026