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Brothers From Blyn

The three Kravas brothers, Bill, Harry and Gus, grew up on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. They were poor by today’s standards but never knew it, thanks in large part to parents who provided them with a loving environment and a deep appreciation of their Hellenic heritage.

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A Whole Second Life

The 1950s in Port Angeles, Washington, was a time of assimilation and conformity for Christina Caris (Kakouros) Siaterlis. But living in Greece and a Greek husband have enriched her life and have given her a full appreciation of her Greek heritage.

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Bringing the Cooking Back Home

Born, raised and educated in Washington State, Theodora Cokinakis Geokezas spent 31 years in Minnesota raising her family, serving her community and polishing her culinary skills. Back in Seattle since 1999, she continues to contribute her skills to her church and community.

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Finding Good Fortune

For the three Carkonen brothers, a learned work ethic, emphasis on family values and strong relationships within the Greek community have aided their success in both business and in life.

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Down By The Riverside

West Seattle was home for a large number of Greek families when Thalia and Kiki Denos were growing up. Their family home was a center of activity for many friends and relatives.

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The Brothers Three

George, Andrew and Angelo Ballasiotes’ youthful escapades were occasionally overlooked as their father Christos was well known and respected in Aberdeen, Washington. The three brothers grew up at a time when the Grays Harbor logging camps and sawmills provided significant wealth for its residents and where a surprisingly large number of Greeks settled. Their love and admiration for their father who they say was the kindest and most generous person you would ever meet permeates their stories.

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Close Cousins

The John Gregores and Nick Carras families lived near each other in Seattle, Washington, among a large number of Greek families. Two of their children, cousins Basil Gregores and Vicky Carras Kangles, share their memories of growing up in the Greek community.

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A Cinderella Story

As the only Greeks in Walla Walla, Washington, Georgia George Sakas (nee Roumeliotis) and her husband Frank made a significant impact through their hard work and friendly manner.

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The Great Head of the Family

Great yiayia (grandmother) was too long to say for Willene (Vasiliki) Delegans Allison’s great grandson, so the name for this family matriarch became simply “Great.”

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Family Comes First

The walls of Tom Cassis’ basement recreation room contain a family history of plhotos beyond imagination. For him as long as the family comes first, everything else will fall in line. His memory of names, dates and places shows how important those relationships have been in his life.

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A Sister and Brother Act

Born just a year apart, Dina (Constantina) Salagianis Baker and Pete (Panagioti) Salagianis recall their early life in Yakama and Spokane while they enjoy retirement in Walla Walla, Washington.

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From Katafigi to Kaiser

John (Ioannis) Theodoros Gormanos has written extensively about his life beginning with his childhood in northern Macedonia through his long journey to Spokane, Washington. He has documented the history of his family in Greece, his experiences coming to Washington State, the story of his Uncle Paul and Aunt Mary who sponsored him and the story of his petherika (in laws) George and Vasiliki Deliganis.

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Making a House a Home

Soap Lake, Washington, had about 2000 people when Sandra (Cassandra Athena) “Sandy” Marlene Pappas (Papaioanos) grew up there. Her parents’ friendships and civic activism led to the family’s success in this small community. Sandra has used her parents’ examples to become successful in the Seattle real estate field.

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Learning the Hard Way

Thomay (from Thomas) “May” Fenerly grew up in a small cottage on Sequim Bay on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula without a road until 1937 and without electricity until 1955. Despite the challenges of living and learning in a remote location May successfully pursued and developed a career in education. She has also meticulously documented the family history in words and photos.

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Making Sweet Music Together

For 58 years, Peter Evans Jr. and Anna Damoulou Evans have maintained their faith, their vows and their musical interests. They recall many activities in their Greek Orthodox Church, in their community and with their family where music and singing have played an important part.

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Making Good Parea

For Terry (Sotiros) Nikolaos Karis (Kanakaris) making good parea (companionship) has been the key to a successful life in Seattle’s Greek community. It is clear that he has sought to maintain these friendships with old and young alike to keep his Greek culture and traditions alive.

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Come Fly With Me

Born in Washington State, Diana Aristides Bacas (nee Delimitros) has the best of three worlds and is equally at home in Madrid, Athens or Seattle. She also believes that she is truly blessed to have lived in this particular timeframe of history, to have been born in Seattle, wanted and loved by her family and to have experienced an extraordinary and unique timeframe of aviation history.

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My Heart is in Three Churches

From Spokane to Seattle to Bellingham, Mary Sellinas Hulbush has maintained her faith, her friends and her Greek heritage. Mary had two fathers, two marriages and has lived in three cities. Throughout her life her positive outlook and concern for friends and relatives have remained unflappable.

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Hires to You

Steve (Stavros) James Sourapas’ Greek family experience and the operation of the family business were closely intertwined. He presents both with an extensive collection of photos, memorabilia and documents in his very organized fashion. As he says, “Organization has been my life.”

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Drawn To Medicine

What did doctors do before graphic technology was available? In Washington State they turned to Joy (Zoe) Goodwin (nee Polis) to provide incredible likenesses of the human body for use in teaching and sharing anatomical knowledge.