G. Harold Tseklenis, long an active member of the Downey community in Southern California and a tireless advocate for the arts and culture, passed away on Sunday afternoon, December 29, 2019 in Downey. He was a genuine friend, colleague and mentor to all who knew him.

Harold was born on October 13, 1930 in Pyrgos, Greece and came to the United States at age 14 with his mother and two older brothers. As a teenager and student, he lived in Chelsea next to Boston, Massachusetts and graduated from MIT. During his career as a civil engineering and construction manager and executive with the Fluor Corporation, he and his wife, Anna, lived in various parts of the world, including the Virgin Islands, Sweden, the Netherlands, Brazil, and Germany. In addition, he served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was stationed in Fort Ord near Monterey, California in the mid-1950s.

Though Harold and Anna enjoyed life and work overseas, they always returned to their permanent home in Downey where they have lived for nearly 60 years. Since the 1960s both immersed themselves in the Downey community and Los Angeles volunteering and supporting a variety of non-profit institutions, performing arts organizations and art museums.

Harold's civic involvement dated back to the 1960s, when he joined the Downey Symphonic Society's board of directors. He served on the symphony's board for 50 years. The Downey Arts Coalition, an arts advocacy organization he helped establish, recently described Harold as "a tireless voice urging city support for the Downey Museum of Art, the Downey Symphony Orchestra, the Downey Civic Light Opera, and the Downey Theatre. He gave untold hours of his time and raising donations for the arts." In addition, he served on the Downey City Hospital Commission.

Among Harold's most gratifying achievements, he was instrumental in leading the establishment and construction of the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Downey, where he attended as recently as Sunday two weeks ago to be with his friends and fellow parishioners. He was active in all facets of the church's operations and festivities, most notably Downey's annual Greek Festival.

Harold is survived by his wife Anna, his son David and family.

Trisagion service at 7pm on Tuesday, January 7, 2020. Funeral service at 10am on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. Both services to be held at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 10830 Downey Avenue, Downey, CA 90241. Interment at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, CA. Makaria to follow at Saint George Hall.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Saint George Memorial Fund or to the Downey Conservancy.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Terry & Mary Harmon, Funeral Directors. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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