By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

The Queens soccer community fell into a period of mourning last week following the sudden passing of Paul Kontonis, a Director and coach with Eleftheria Pancyprian Soccer Club and the President of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL). He was 54 years old.

Paul’s infectious positivity and love of the game was felt across nearly every soccer field in Queens and beyond, as he made endless strides to make the world’s game accessible to thousands in the world’s borough.

Paul understood the importance of joy and personal growth through sport, as well as the determination and heart required to lift trophies at different levels. Under his watch, the NY Pancyprian Freedoms added milestones to their club’s history with Cosmopolitan Soccer League (CSL) and American Premier Soccer League (APSL) titles, Eastern New York State Soccer Association (ENYSSA) state cups, and even the USASA National Amateur Cup in 2024.

“[Paul] was unwavering in giving his time, energy, and care to the club and deeply committed to the growth of our players and the strength of our programs,” the NY Pancyprian Freedoms said in a somber statement. “Paul was known for his incredible dedication, passion for the game, and his ability to connect with everyone he met. Most importantly he did it all with a smile on his face. The soccer community has lost a true ambassador for the game, and an amazing friend, mentor, father, and colleague.”

As Director of Club Development, Paul also spent years forming connections from New York Soccer to the biggest leagues in Europe. With trips to visit historic Spanish clubs like Real Madrid, Eleftheria Pancyprian players got to train on the same grass graced by the sport’s top talents.

His first taste of coaching came with Blau-Weiss Gottschee, one of the most prestigious soccer academies in the city. Paul helped kids as young as 5 years old channel their early love of the game, helping mold their discipline and skills.

“Watching those kids grow into soccer players has been incredible. I am still in touch with many of the players,” Paul once said about his time with the BW Gottschee academy. It’s a testament not only to the lasting connections built by Paul, but how much he genuinely cared about the progression and growth of the players he took under his wing.

“Paul believed in what we were building together,” the CJSL stated. “He championed the growth of our league, supported the development of our players, and worked tirelessly to elevate our standards. His impact—both on and off the field—was meaningful, lasting, and will continue to be felt throughout our community.”

“Both the APSL and CSL worked with Paul on a regular basis, both in his capacity as a member of the NY Pancyprian Freedoms coaching staff and as president of the CJSL. Paul was generous with his time and worked tirelessly for the benefit of his players and the soccer community,” added Bill Marth, a board member for both local soccer leagues.

On top of his dedication to the product on the pitch, Paul was also an ambassador for local broadcasting and media, helping grow grassroots organizations like Game In Frame. As a media and marketing professional himself, Paul understood the importance of growing media outlets to strengthen local soccer teams, players, and the community.

“I met Paul in the early formative years of Game in Frame, and without hesitation he took me under his wing,” shared Josh Pratt, the founder and CEO of Game in Frame. “He generously shared the wisdom he’d built through his successful career as a media and marketing leader, along with his deep knowledge of the NY soccer landscape. Alongside being a visionary, Paul was a loyal and kind friend. I lost count of the times when he stuck his neck out for Game in Frame or for me personally, opening doors when we were still unproven.”

That was the essence of who Paul was; someone who always helped find opportunities for those who worked hard to better their craft so they could enjoy the benefits of their growth down the line. As he said, “when you train hard, you can have so much more joy in your soccer.”

Memorial visitation will be held at Frederick Funeral Home in Flushing, Queens on Thursday, December 4 from 6 to 9pm and Friday, December 5 from 10am to 1pm. Donations to the Kontonis family can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-kontonis-family-in-honor-of-paul.