Joseph J. Tzougros was born in the Bronx, N.Y., the eldest of the three children of Anthoula and George Tzougros. The family lived in Queens Village, N.Y. and attended St. Demetrios Church in Jamaica, N.Y. He joined the choir at the age of ten, and at the age of 18 he led the choir for his very first time at the ordination of Fr. Stamatios Ganiaris. Following the service, Archbishop Michael thanked him, and announced to the congregation that he believed that Joseph would be a priest one day.

After graduating Andrew Jackson High School, he attended New York City Community College where he earned an Associate in Applied Science degree. Next, he enrolled in NYU. But, his education was put on hold thanks to the Army. While in the service, he led the children's choir, taught servicemen's children, formed a rock and roll band, all the while doing his job as a Fire Direction Control Coordinator.

Four days after he returned home in February 1960, Joseph and Vasiliki, daughter of Corinne and Theodore Katsigris, were engaged. Both families knew each other for many years and were active in the church as members, and officers of the Philoptochos and Parish Council. Joseph and Vicki were married in Saint Demetrios on December 4, 1960 by Rev. P. Nicholas Papageorge.

Joseph worked days, attended NYU College of Engineering and Science in the evening, and conducted the St. Demetrios Choir once again. During this time also, he was responsible, along with Jimmy Pappas for establishing the first Metropolitan area Choir Federation.

In November 1961, their first child, George Theodore was born. He is married to Maria and they are the parents of Theodore 17, and Naida 16. George is the Director of the Wisconsin Arts Board. Joseph Nicholas was born on Easter Sunday 1963. He is a pediatrician. He and his wife Helene have five children: Sophia 14, Alexandra 12, Gabriella and Eleni 7 and Joseph 2. In January 1965, Corinna Vasiliki was born. She is married to Lt. Col. Spiros Fafalios, USAF. He is an intelligence officer and a member of the F.B.I. Their children are Vasiliki 17, Dimitri 15, and Joseph 10.

In 1969, after eight years of night school, classes, and three children, Joseph graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering. They moved to Syracuse, N.Y. to take a position with General Electric Heavy Military as a Quality Control Engineer for the Perimeter Acquisitions Radar Anti Ballistic Missile System. They were warmly welcomed to St. Sophia's Greek Or- thodox Church by Rev. Michael and Presvytera Mary Harmand and his family.

In April 1973, Joseph accepted a new position with GE Medical in Milwaukee, and settled in Waukesha. Joseph and Vicki taught Sunday School, worked with the teens.

In 1974, Joseph approached Father Angelo Kasemeotes, proistamenos of Annunciation, about petitioning the Archdiocese to enter the "Priest with lay Profession Program." Father Angelo, who was Father Joseph's spiritual father, Father Constantine Hallick, of Ss. Constantine & Helen, and Father Peter Papademetriou of Kimissis in Racine all were helpful to Father Joseph by making sure that he knew the proper SIRA for the many services. With the support of the Parish Council of Annunciation, Father Joseph was ordained a deacon by Bishop Timotheos, of blessed memory, on April 20, 1975. After two years of on the job training, Father Joseph was elevated to the priesthood on August 20, 1977. Father Joseph's main duties at Annunciation were helping with the liturgy, performing sacraments, and working with the youth of the church. The youth group met weekly for religious education and social time - dances, parties, winter and summer camps. Twice Father Joseph took over 100 youth to the Athenagoras Retreat Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Close friendships developed that exist today with some of them marrying later on and/or becoming Koumbari.

Twenty years later Fr. Joe went back with the teens from Assumption. At Bishop lakovos' request Father Joseph assisted the Diocese by filling in at various churches as the need arose. He filled in at Des Plaines, Fond du Lac, Appleton, Dubuque throughout Chicago. For nine months he took care of the Ss Constantine & Helen parish in Milwaukee upon the death of their beloved pastor.

From 1975 to 1995, Father Joseph maintained dual careers. He often worked seven days a week with weekends full of church responsibilities. There were many days when he would have to leave GE to attend to a parishioner. Fortunately his executive position and the corporation's support allowed Father this freedom. In 1982, Bishop lakovos "temporarily" assigned Father Joseph to Assumption Church in Madison, WI. He began his temporary assignment on August 2, 1982, and continues to the present. Although the original program meant for the "Priests with Lay Profession" to only be assistants to a Proistamenos, Father Joseph became Assumption's Priest, and was able to manage his life between the "lay" world and his priesthood.

On September 23, 2001, Metropolitan lakovos bestowed the official title of Economos on Father Joseph. In 1986 Fr. Joseph received the prestigious Gerald L. Philippe Award from GE for the countless hours he devoted to Community service helping enrich the quality of life through the arts. He was instrumental in the Mayor's Council for the Arts in Waukesha County, a Board Member and Vice Chairman of the Children's Service Society, President of the Executive Board of the Waukesha Symphony, a member of the financial allocation committee of the Waukesha United Way, as well as being active in the GE Medical Systems' Elfun Society and Arts Support Program. He has received many other community and managerial awards through the years. All of these activities were concurrent with his responsibilities as a GE manager and an Orthodox Priest for whichever parish he was assigned by the Archdiocese.

Father held several positions at GE. He was Quality Control Manager, Programs Manager, Computerized Tomography Manager, Design, Drafting and Graphic Services Manager, Manager of Magnetic Resonance Shop Operations. He was responsible for the introduction of the first 100 CT systems, and the first 500 Magnetic Resonance Systems. His last position at GE before early retirement was as Manager of Union Relations. He retired from G.E. in 1995, and was now able to minister full time to the people of Assumption.

Over the years, the Parish grew threefold in membership. The nave was remodeled, due to a smoky fire, the church and narthex were restored. The Sunday school was remodeled, and property next door has been purchased for a parking lot. Discussions continue as to the next step. Father Joseph is the Treasurer of the Chicago Clergy Syndesmos which he has held for several years. He is a member of and has also served as the Treasurer of the Orthodox Clergy Syndesmos of Wisconsin. He is a clergy member of the Metropolis Council of Chicago. He represented the Orthodox Churches of Wisconsin on the Wisconsin Council of Churches, and is a member and past Treasurer of the University Religious Workers. Father is a founding member of the Orthodox Christian Charities of Wisconsin, and Emergency Room Chaplin at Waukesha Memorial. At the age of 40, Father was able to achieve his lifelong dream by first becoming a deacon in the Orthodox Church, and a priest two years later.

With the great love for God, his strong faith, and the loving support of family, friends and parishioners, Father Joseph has served the Holy Church for 35 years, and hopes to continue for as long as God desires.