Founder of Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade Passes Away

Dr. Basil J. Photos, 95, founder of Chicago’s Greek Independence Day Parade and an active member of the Greek community, passed away recently after a brief illness.

Dr. Photos was passionate about his Hellenic roots. Born in Northern Epiros, following his mother’s death, his father sent him to Greece for his safety and care, as well as to obtain an education. He never forgot his homeland. As an adult, he’d work diligently for respite for the people of Northern Epiros.

In 1945, he graduated from the Athens University Medical School. The following year, he came to the United States, joining two older brothers in Detroit. He completed his studies at the University of Michigan, and then came to Chicago to intern at Grant Hospital. He was a family doctor, who started his own practice in 1953. He retired in 1990. Also in 1953, he married Mary Vaselakos. They had three children.

Once established in his practice, Dr. Photos focused his energy on causes close to his heart, including assisting the people of Northern Epiros. Until his death, he rallied for unification with Greece. As president of the Pan-Epirotic Federation of America and Canada – a position he held for 20 years – he fought endlessly for his ancestral homeland. He once spoke to the United Nations about human rights violations in Epiros. He spent considerable time and effort urging politicians to make Epiros a priority in foreign policy.

The Greek government recognized him for his efforts. He was awarded seven gold medals.

Dr. Photos led the creation of the Federation of Hellenic-American Organizations of Illinois, known as “Enosis,” and was its first president. He remained active until recently. In 1953, he founded the Greek Medical Society of Chicago. In 1976, he was a founder and served as secretary of the United Hellenic American Congress.

Perhaps Dr. Photos is best known for establishing the parade and serving as its first chairman. There were local celebrations, but he thought they could do better. A parade, he suggested, would take place on State Street, through the heart of Downtown Chicago – as other ethnic groups produced – to showcase the Hellenic culture and spirit.

He was a Rotarian, an Ahepan and a Thirty-two degree Mason. In 1976, he was named Archon Aktouarios of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle. Additionally, he authored “The Greek Revolution of 1843,” “The History of Northern Epiros and Its Postage Stamps,” as well as “Epirotic Ballads.”