Greek-American Historical Museum of Washington State

Keeping Community

The Greeks in Washington kept their traditions and culture through a variety of sources including social activities, the Orthodox Church, fraternal organizations, sports and music.

Greek Immigrant Meets Southern Belle
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George and Diane Pirotis
AHEPA Architecture Church Exhibits Greece Hobbies Immigrant Keeping Community Nationality Northern Greece Organizations Philoptochos Puget Sound Saint Nicholas Sports Tacoma Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

GREEK IMMIGRANT MEETS SOUTHERN BELLE George and Diane Pirotis’ son, Stavros, has enjoyed a mix of cultures and accents, from his father, a Greek …

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We Like the Old Stuff Better
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Exhibits Hobbies Keeping Community Military Music Music Puget Sound Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

They may not be Greek but, wherever live Greek music is played in Washington State, Hank Bradley and Cathie Whitesides will most likely be part of the group.

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“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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“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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Jews and Greeks Together
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Sephardic Jews
Aegean Islands Exhibits Finance First Generation Greece Hobbies Islands Keeping Community Music Nationality Northern Greece Puget Sound Real Estate Seattle Second Generation Thessaloniki Washington State Western Washington

In about 1890 two Jewish men, Jack Policar and Solomon Calvo, were traveling in Turkey and were considering migrating to New York City.  On …

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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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All Below Main Street
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Dorothy Haskell
Church Exhibits Greece Keeping Community Medicine Nationality Organizations Peloponese Philoptochos Puget Sound Saint Demetrios Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

In the 1940s, McGill, Nevada, a small town in the eastern part of the state, was home for over 100 Greek families. Dorothy (Theodora) Haskell tells the story of growing up in McGill and eventually settling in Seattle, Washington.

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“LIVE! LIVE! LIFE IS A BANQUET!”
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Zaphara
Exhibits First Generation Greece Hobbies Keeping Community Music Music Nationality Peloponese Puget Sound Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

Zaphara loves this quote from the stage play and musical Auntie Mame knowing that many people have not been able to live a full …

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Dorothea Alice Mootafes – In Memory
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Dorothea Mootafes
Church Education Exhibits Greece Hobbies Islands Keeping Community Reading Saint Demetrios Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

IN MEMORY Dorothea Alice Mootafes, beloved friend and teacher, left us to be with the Lord on October 12, 2016.  She was 88 years …

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