Arthur J. Collias, entrepreneur, philanthropist, ardent sports fan, devoted friend and loving husband, died on May 26 after a lengthy illness. A lifelong Bostonian, Arthur was born in the South End on January 28, 1938, to Angeliki and John Collias. He inherited from his parents great pride in his Greek heritage, a strong work ethic, and the drive to succeed. Throughout his life, wherever he travelled, he made lifelong friendships, and, whatever his successes, he never forgot his roots.
Arthur graduated from Boston Latin School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he excelled academically and was active with the Pershing Rifles and their sponsorship of major concerts. He earned his Masters of Science at Stanford University before fulfilling his MIT ROTC obligation with two years’ active duty at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey.
Arthur's professional career spanned three decades. He worked on the Apollo heat shield at Avco Corporation; served at MIT as an industrial and technical liaison officer; managed MIT’s Center for Advanced Engineering Study and marketed American Science and Engineering. In 1985, he co-founded Mitek Surgical Products which developed products for mammography and bone-to-tissue anchors with nitinol, a metal with “memory” properties. The company went public in 1991 and was purchased by Johnson & Johnson in 1995.
In 1995, Arthur and four colleagues acquired Outback’s New England franchise and opened eighteen restaurants over the next four years before selling them back to Outback corporate. At the time of the sale, the franchise operation was ranked second on Inc. Magazine’s list of fastest growing companies.
In retirement, Arthur served as a Trustee of the Boston Medical Center and Treasurer of the MIT Class of 1959. He was a Board member of the Greater New England Chapter of the MS Society, the Montpelier Foundation, the Boston Latin School, and, for many years, the Council of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Arthur also served as President of the Parish Council of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church where he was honored as “Man of the Year”.
Arthur is survived by his beloved wife, Bess (Née Lukes), his sister Helen Bourloukas (Spiro), niece Alesia Bourloukas, nephew Dean Bourloukas (Wendy), great nieces Emily and Sarah Bourloukas, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Arthur was predeceased by his parents and nephew John Bourloukas.
Visitation will be Wednesday, May 30 at St. John the Baptist Hellenic Orthodox Church, 15 Union Park Street, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, and Thursday, May 31, 9:00 AM, followed by the funeral at 10:00. Interment Forest Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in memory of Arthur J. Collias to St. John the Baptist Hellenic Orthodox Church or the Boston Latin School.
Arthur graduated from Boston Latin School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he excelled academically and was active with the Pershing Rifles and their sponsorship of major concerts. He earned his Masters of Science at Stanford University before fulfilling his MIT ROTC obligation with two years’ active duty at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey.
Arthur's professional career spanned three decades. He worked on the Apollo heat shield at Avco Corporation; served at MIT as an industrial and technical liaison officer; managed MIT’s Center for Advanced Engineering Study and marketed American Science and Engineering. In 1985, he co-founded Mitek Surgical Products which developed products for mammography and bone-to-tissue anchors with nitinol, a metal with “memory” properties. The company went public in 1991 and was purchased by Johnson & Johnson in 1995.
In 1995, Arthur and four colleagues acquired Outback’s New England franchise and opened eighteen restaurants over the next four years before selling them back to Outback corporate. At the time of the sale, the franchise operation was ranked second on Inc. Magazine’s list of fastest growing companies.
In retirement, Arthur served as a Trustee of the Boston Medical Center and Treasurer of the MIT Class of 1959. He was a Board member of the Greater New England Chapter of the MS Society, the Montpelier Foundation, the Boston Latin School, and, for many years, the Council of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Arthur also served as President of the Parish Council of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church where he was honored as “Man of the Year”.
Arthur is survived by his beloved wife, Bess (Née Lukes), his sister Helen Bourloukas (Spiro), niece Alesia Bourloukas, nephew Dean Bourloukas (Wendy), great nieces Emily and Sarah Bourloukas, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Arthur was predeceased by his parents and nephew John Bourloukas.
Visitation will be Wednesday, May 30 at St. John the Baptist Hellenic Orthodox Church, 15 Union Park Street, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, and Thursday, May 31, 9:00 AM, followed by the funeral at 10:00. Interment Forest Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in memory of Arthur J. Collias to St. John the Baptist Hellenic Orthodox Church or the Boston Latin School.
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