The Easton community has lost a longtime deacon at its Maronite Catholic Church and a retired Catholic educator and athletic director.
Anthony Koury died this week at the age of 77.
He was a high school physical education teacher and served as the athletic director at Notre Dame High School in Bethlehem Township.
He taught Bishop of Allentown Alfred A. Schlert when Schlert was in high school.
“He was a lifelong friend,” the bishop said in a statement Thursday night.
Koury was born in Easton, according to the Our Lady of Lebanon Church website. He was ordained a deacon at the church in 1982 and has been a fixture in the Lebanese community for decades.
Over the course of 60 years, he was involved with the church as an altar server, cantor, lector, member of the parish council, director of religious education, Bingo worker and committee participant, the church website says.
“Deacon Anthony’s life has been one of total service to his family, church, community, and Our Lady of Lebanon where he has helped shape the lives and futures of thousands of people,” the church website says.
Deacon Anthony Koury dances with a tambourine during 46th Lebanese Heritage Day festival on Aug. 6, 2022.Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com
Koury is survived by his wife, Chafica “Cheffie” Koury; his son, Anthony Jr.; and his daughter, Frances Marcus, according to Schlert’s statement.
He was a teacher and athletic director at Notre Dame High School from 1969 until his retirement in 2012, the church website says. After that, he served as a court officer in Northampton County Court.
“He always sought the good of others, possessing a generous heart that is rarely seen, and never counted the cost of his comfort in being of service to his faith, family, and to his community,” Schlert said.
A viewing is scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady of Lebanon, 55 S. Fourth St., Easton, according to a news story in The Morning Call of Allentown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Monday at the church, the story says.
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Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.