Greeks of Washington 7/16/24 Greeks of Washington 7/16/24

You Are What You Where When

Chris (Christos) Anastasiou Zervas was born in Prosimni, Argolidos, in the Greek Peloponnese. His birthdate varies depending on the document used. Chris Zervas uses these simple words give meaning to how our beliefs and culture have made us what we are today.

Greeks of Washington 6/25/24 Greeks of Washington 6/25/24

And I Said, “Why Not?”

Pictured here, with love birds in hand, Tony and Zoe Okos were married in 2017 but had known each other since their childhood days in Greece. Their lives are linked through centuries of relatives and historical figures. Zoe’s allegiance, family, children and grandchildren are in Greece while Tony’s is totally in America.

Greeks of Washington 11/1/23 Greeks of Washington 11/1/23

Building a Neighborhood

Many Greek immigrants who become successful entrepreneurs are leaders and prominent figures in their Greek community. For Nick Sfondouris, his contributions have been in his own Phinney Ridge neighborhood of Seattle, Washington.

Greeks of Washington 2/24/23 Greeks of Washington 2/24/23

Remembering the Forgotten

Combine the administrative, educational and organizational talents of three siblings and you have the history of Greeks in the Yakima Valley of Washington State.

Greeks of Washington 2/1/23 Greeks of Washington 2/1/23

The Priest With Many Parishes

Since his ordination in 1966, Father John Angelis has served in 12 different parishes during 56 years as a Greek Orthodox priest, most of them after he retired in 2007. He and Presvytera Anna continue their service via ZOOM from their home. In his words, “It has been a blessing for us to get to know and serve so many people. Praise be to God."

Greeks of Washington 11/18/22 Greeks of Washington 11/18/22

Distant Yet Close Siblings

Michael Peter Kazaras was born on September 28, 1940, in North Bronx, New York, and lives in Kirkland, Washington, with his wife Lisa. Michael’s sister, Joann Veloudis, also born in the Bronx in 1942, lives in the Athens suburb Holargos with her husband Stamos. Joann’s son, Evangelos “Evan” lives in San Jose, California, and daughter Maria lives near her uncle Michael in Bothell, Washington. It was a special opportunity to have all of them together for this interview on November 18, 2022.

Greeks of Washington 10/1/18 Greeks of Washington 10/1/18

Two for the Museum

Since 2009, John and Joann Nicon have been conducting video interviews with Greeks and Greek-Americans in Washington State. With the help of many others, stories from those interviews have been shared worldwide. Now, here is a little information about John and Joann and their work with the Greek-American Historical Museum of Washington State.

Greeks of Washington 7/1/18 Greeks of Washington 7/1/18

Even His Parrot Speaks Greek

Heracles Panagiotides is a scholar, researcher, and philosopher. Almost everything about him reflects his Greek heritage and his Greek Orthodox faith. He has taught the Greek language to innumerable students and even his parrot speaks Greek.

Greeks of Washington 5/1/18 Greeks of Washington 5/1/18

The Flying Educator

Nick Cosmakos’s aviation career really began at 16 years of age when his parents gave him a $200 gift certificate to a local flight school. Now, with over 40 years as a pilot, he continues his career training those who fly the skies for Alaska Airlines.

Greeks of Washington 2/1/18 Greeks of Washington 2/1/18

A Military Historian

Constantine “Gus” George Chamales retired as a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army after a 21-year career. In retirement he has managed the military ministry of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Tacoma, Washington, a task that documents and honors those Church members who have served their country. With a deep interest in history, he has also been able to trace his family back to the 1700s.

Greeks of Washington 10/1/17 Greeks of Washington 10/1/17

We Like the Old Stuff Better

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.

Greeks of Washington 9/1/17 Greeks of Washington 9/1/17

A Good Life in Cashmere

Christos (Chris) Roumeliotis was born in Athens, Greece, on December 17, 1925. His experiences in Greece during World War II and his work in Cashmere, Washington, combine for a long life of hard work and gratitude for the blessings he has received.

Greeks of Washington 9/1/16 Greeks of Washington 9/1/16

It’s Just a Part of Who We Are.

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.

Greeks of Washington 4/1/15 Greeks of Washington 4/1/15

Gifts of Faith and Culture

The Hamilos sisters, Mary and Deena relish their connections with their homeland just as they value their faith and activities in the Greek community of Seattle, Washington.

Greeks of Washington 3/1/15 Greeks of Washington 3/1/15

To Suit the Occasion

Steve and Anna Athan spent over 30 years combining hard work and his tailoring skills to achieve a successful career in Seattle, Washington. They share their stories of growing up on farms in Greece and their experiences in America.

Greeks of Washington 2/1/15 Greeks of Washington 2/1/15

An Extraordinary Advenuture

In 1966, a feisty, handsome, young immigrant from Crete “took a chance” to come to America at the age of 29 in focused pursuit of his “love at first sight” whom he discovered a year earlier on a Mediterranean cruise. Little did he know at the time that years later, in another country, he’d be a husband, father and rancher in charge of a 100-acre farmstead complete with livestock and hay. Add to this energetic character a love of hunting and fishing with a passion for adding an extra heavy dose of unapologetic bold Greek identity throughout and you have the makings of an extraordinary life. Bernie Iliakis has written the following story about that person, his father Michael.

Greeks of Washington 7/1/14 Greeks of Washington 7/1/14

I Get Chills

That’s what Terry Xenos Proios said when she and her siblings gathered to tell their story of emigration from Leros, Greece, and life in Seattle, Washington. Three sisters of the nine-member Xenos family are featured here along with remembrances of their family life.

Greeks of Washington 5/1/14 Greeks of Washington 5/1/14

A Culinary Philosopher

Constantinos “Costas” Nikolaos Antonopoulos brought his skills as a pastry chef to Seattle, Washington, in 1968. From there he expanded his culinary skills and became a successful and respected restaurateur.

Greeks of Washington 3/1/14 Greeks of Washington 3/1/14

Five Generations and Counting

The Derezes and Falangus families were among the first Greek settlers in the northwest United States. Five generations later their descendants have maintained their Greek culture. With only one exception, following the Greek tradition, all have been named after their grandparents.

Greeks of Washington 1/1/14 Greeks of Washington 1/1/14

Partners and Politics in Puyallup

Despite their father’s admonitions, Basil and Jim Anton have spent over 40 years together in the restaurant and catering business. Their restaurants, Anton’s and Charlie’s, became centers of political, economic and community activity in Washington’s Puyallup valley.