Byron Menides

Byron A. Menides died peacefully at age 85 from complications of pneumonia at Dodge Park Rest Home, Worcester, MA. He leaves his wife of 55 years, Laura Jehn-Menides, his son John and daughter Georgia, and many nieces and nephews. Here is an outline of Byron’s long personal and business life: Byron was born in Lynn, MA on August 20, 1931. He attended Lynn English High School, Dartmouth College BS 1953, and Amos Tuck Business School MBA 1954. He was employed by Arthur Andersen, in its Paris office doing accounting in France, Iran and the Netherlands.  Later he worked for MW Kellogg, in South America, primarily in Argentina. In 1960, Byron, together with Tom Gilbert, started TOR Education, whose mission was to promote programmed learning and which had acquired Chicago based International Accountants Society, IAS, a home study school with a reputation for excellent teaching materials. Byron became president of IAS and he and Laura moved to Chicago. They had married in December of 1961, after only a 6-month courtship. In 1966 while vacationing in Athens, Greece, Byron met and collaborated with Gilbert Granet, president of Famous Artists Schools, located in Westport, Connecticut, which then acquired IAS. Byron and Laura moved back East with their young son and lived in Rye, New York. Byron became very ill in New York and was hospitalized for over two months and was absent from Famous Artists School, FAS, when it was dissolved. Then living in New York City where their daughter, Georgia was born, Byron established Byron Menides Management Company and eventually became associated with State Mutual Investors in Worcester, MA, Fred Fedeli, President. Fred and Byron worked on many projects until State Mutual was sold. Worcester became their home for 40 years. Byron began teaching management courses at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, WPI, and became WPI’s assistant football coach. He enjoyed coaching until he turned 83. He continued attending WPI’s home football, and basketball games to cheer the teams on. His commitment to Worcester is evidenced by his joining the Torch Club, The Antiquarian Society, The Historical Society, attending yearly concerts at Mechanics Hall, poetry readings and the theater in Worcester.             Byron’s funeral will be held Thursday, July 27, 2017, at 12:00 p.m., at St. Spyridon Cathedral, 102 Russell Street, Worcester. After the ceremony, a burial will be held at Worcester’s Hope Cemetery. Following the burial there will be a gathering at Dodge Park Rest Home, 101 Randolph Road, Worcester, MA, 01606, on the lower level for refreshments in memory of Byron. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Saint Spyridon Choir Fund. The family would like to thank the nursing staff and aides at Dodge Park Rest Home, especially Michael, for their keen attention and care of Byron. News of Byron’s death has spread widely primarily because of Georgia’s publishing of a photograph on Facebook of Byron taken two days before his death. The results have been a flurry of complimentary comments about Byron. His friendliness, openness, sense of humor, mean jazz piano playing, fine art collections, and reputation as a fine business man. It has been heartwarming to his family. Many thanks.