Greek-American Historical Museum of Washington State

Church

“It’s just part of who we are.”
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AHEPA Assumption Church Exhibits First Generation Greece Hobbies Information Technology Keeping Community Organizations Philoptochos Puget Sound Sales Seattle Sports Tacoma Turkey Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

Sisters Mary Lou Barton and Joanne Zarkades contribute innumerable hours to their church, not out of obligation but, just like their mother, it is just part of who they are.

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Working in a Floral Paradise
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Louie and Mary Malesis
AHEPA Business Owner Central Greece Church Exhibits Greece Immigrant Making a Living Nationality Organizations Puget Sound Real Estate Saint Demetrios Type of Work Washington State

Louie and Mary Malesis have made significant contributions to both the Renton and Seattle, Washington, communities. In 2015 their granddaughter Sophia Giakoumatos interviewed her grandfather and the results of that interview are presented here. Their story is supplemented with information in italics from a video interview with both Louie and Mary in 2017.

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Her Dad Liked Him
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AHEPA Church Exhibits Greece Making a Living Nationality Northern Greece Organizations Pizza Puget Sound Restaurant Saint Demetrios Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

When Demetrios Voltsis visited the family of his new friend in Seattle, Washington, the friend’s sister was not impressed. That impression has improved immensely over 50 years.

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“I’m your cousin! I’m your cousin!”
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Jim Kost
Church Exhibits Government Greece Hobbies Keeping Community Nationality Peloponese Puget Sound Saint Demetrios Seattle Second Generation Sports Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

Family in the Greek culture is very important. Frequently, families will “adopt” people to join them by calling them thea (aunt) or theo (uncle) either for respect, to acknowledge closeness or, to expand a small family. Friends who are godparents to children or sponsors for a married couple are called koumbari and are considered family. Whether at home in Seattle, Washington, or while visiting his ancestral homes in Greece, Jim Kost regularly hears this call from those he encounters.

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From the Heart of Greece
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Rakus Family
AHEPA Assumption Central Greece Church Everett Exhibits Finance First Generation Greece Keeping Community Nationality Organizations Puget Sound Real Estate Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

As Tommy Rakus’ family came from Roumeli, tin carthia tis Elathas (the heart of Greece), his passion for all things Greek originates not from the food, the dancing or the language but from his heart.

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From Smith to Asimakoupoulos
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Greg Asimakoupoulos
Central Greece Church CLERGY Exhibits Greece Hobbies Making a Living Nationality Puget Sound Second Generation Sports Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

Where most Greek families with long names shortened or Anglicized them, Greg Asimakoupoulos’ family did just the opposite. With Greek and Norwegian parents his connections run deep with families in Seattle, Washington, and the northwest United States.

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The Best Wealth is your Mind
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Sam Treperinas
Central Greece Church Exhibits Greece Immigrant Making a Living Nationality Puget Sound Railroad Saint Demetrios Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

Sam Treperinas has many stories to tell about his very successful 50-year career with the railroad and a busy retirement. For Sam and his wife Elly, the title of this exhibit is very appropriate for their experiences and success in life.

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A Badge of Honor to be Greek
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Kenny Dudunakis
Cars Church Crete Exhibits Finance Greece Hobbies Making a Living Nationality Puget Sound Real Estate Saint Demetrios Seattle Second Generation Sports Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

When Kenny Dudunakis was growing up in Pocatello, Idaho, being Greek was a badge of honor. He moved to Washington State in 1989 where he has developed his career in commercial real estate.

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Echi O Theos
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Maria Cooper
Central Greece Church Exhibits Greece Hobbies Homemaker Immigrant Making a Home Nationality Organizations Philoptochos Puget Sound Saint Demetrios Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

During World War II in Greece, Maria Cooper (nee Deligianni) was unable to pursue her schooling. Rather, as a teenager and the oldest of seven children, she was responsible for her younger siblings.

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Their Dreams Fulfilled
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Maria and Christos Govetas
Assumption Church Construction Education Exhibits Greece Hobbies Immigrant Keeping Community Making a Living Music Nationality Northern Greece Puget Sound Reading Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

When Maria and Christos Govetas immigrated to the United States in 1978, the opportunities for education and successful careers were far beyond their dreams.

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