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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.

Greeks of Washington 12/1/13 Greeks of Washington 12/1/13

As Greek as I Can Get

With both Belgian and Greek legacies, Pearl Pavlos chose the latter and has always seen herself “as Greek as I can get” with inseparable ties to her Greek Orthodox Church.

Greeks of Washington 11/1/13 Greeks of Washington 11/1/13

Out of the Detroit Bubble

Tom, Helen and Demetra Barbas’ family moved to Seattle, Washington, in November of 1944 from a protective Greek “bubble” in Detroit, Michigan. From there, the Barbas children blossomed as they assimilated into their new Northwest society.

Greeks of Washington 11/1/13 Greeks of Washington 11/1/13

Float Like A Butterfly

The butterfly collection in Ethel Barbas’ home personifies her joyful and optimistic visits with family and friends as she travels the roads in western Washington. Testimony to her travel is her 1997 Honda del Sol with over 350,000 miles.

Greeks of Washington 9/1/13 Greeks of Washington 9/1/13

An Island Experience In Tacoma

For sister and brother, Voula Dodd and John John, life in Tacoma included much of the culture and traditions of living on the island of Marmara. In their teenage years, with exposure to American culture, their lives expanded and grew while maintaining the fond memories of their childhood.

Greeks of Washington 7/1/13 Greeks of Washington 7/1/13

Many Strangers, Two Little Kisses

Pauli (Pauline) Cave’s name is interesting. Her given name, Polixeni, literally translated means many strangers and her first married name, Diafos, was originally Diafilakis or two little kisses.

Greeks of Washington 6/1/13 Greeks of Washington 6/1/13

A Greek Village For Two

Ask Petro Farmasonis where the best Greek food can be found in Seattle, Washington, and he will point to his own kitchen. From 1966 to 1979 Petro and Colleen Farmasonis operated Seattle’s successful Greek-themed restaurant, the Eleniko Horio, Greek Village.

Greeks of Washington 5/1/13 Greeks of Washington 5/1/13

An American-Greek Life in Aberdeen

Eleni or “Nitsa” (the familiar of Elenitsa or little Eleni) Rockas (nee Rotous) was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Aberdeen, Washington, on November 6, 1933. She is seen here holding her autobiography, “Reflections of an American-Greek Life,” which she completed in May of 2013. In her words: “Now that I am almost 80 years old, it is time to write a history of MY LIFE so that my children and grandchildren will understand their mother and yiayia (grandmother) and how she became what she is because of the history of her origins.”

Greeks of Washington 3/1/13 Greeks of Washington 3/1/13

At Home On Land Or Sea

Bill and Jeanne Kaimakis have shared many wonderful and challenging moments both in houses on land and on a 50-foot ocean-going vessel. Now settled in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood, they share stories of their Greek-American experiences.

Greeks of Washington 2/1/13 Greeks of Washington 2/1/13

Float Like a Butterfly

The butterfly collection in Ethel Barbas’ home illustrates her joyful and optimistic visits with family and friends as she travels the roads in western Washington. Testimony to her travel is her 1997 Honda del Sol with over 350,000 miles. Born in Tacoma, Washington, Ethel (Anthe) Evans (Evangelou) has roots in Everett and Seattle as well.

Greeks of Washington 2/1/13 Greeks of Washington 2/1/13

My Dear, You Have the Knowledge.

“MY DEAR, YOU HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE.”

This is the reply Elly (Helle) Protopsaltou Pangis received when she humbly said she was not qualified to teach Greek school.

Greeks of Washington 11/1/12 Greeks of Washington 11/1/12

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.

Greeks of Washington 10/1/12 Greeks of Washington 10/1/12

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.

Greeks of Washington 10/1/12 Greeks of Washington 10/1/12

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.

Greeks of Washington 9/1/12 Greeks of Washington 9/1/12

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.

Greeks of Washington 8/1/12 Greeks of Washington 8/1/12

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.

Greeks of Washington 7/1/12 Greeks of Washington 7/1/12

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.”

Greeks of Washington 7/1/12 Greeks of Washington 7/1/12

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.

Greeks of Washington 6/1/12 Greeks of Washington 6/1/12

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.