Obituary of Christos Tsopanoglou

CHRISTOS TSOPANOGLOU Tsopanoglou, CHRISTOS. Chris died unexpectedly on Saturday, January 26th, 2013. Chris was born on the island of Rhodes in Greece on February 27, 1949. He always said he was an island boy and loved the ocean. He joined the Greek Navy as a teenager eventually becoming an officer, and travelled the world. He also spent time in the Greek Merchant Marines. Chris immigrated to Kodiak, Alaska in the early 1970's and joined his brother working on the king crab boats. Later he moved to Seattle, Washington where he became a homeowner. Chris enjoyed the Pacific Northwest, working in various industries and spending his free time fishing. Following his work in the shipyards, Chris moved to a warmer climate and settled in San Diego in the 1980's. He joined St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, joining the choir and quickly became an active member in the San Diego Greek community. He had a deep love for God and his Orthodox faith. Chris is best remember by his passion for life. He had many hobbies: gardening, cooking, fishing, photography and jewelry making. He was an accomplished artist and sold many of his paintings. He was a loving, kind and forgiving man. Chris would take the time to visit nursing homes or cook meals for those in need. Monthly, Chris worked with Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve (FOCUS) cooking meals. He has gone to be with the Lord and will be greatly missed by his family, friends and anyone who knew him. Chris is survived by his loving wife Patricia, sisters Helen, Antonia (Bill), Evaggelia (Mike), and Kiki (George), sister-in-law Barbara and many nieces, nephews and God -children. The Trisagion Service will be held Monday, February 4, 2013 at 7pm with the viewing from 6pm to 8pm at El Camino Memorial Park in Sorrento Valley. The Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 10:30am, St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, 3655 Park Boulevard, San Diego. In lieu of flowers , donations can be made to FOCUS North America (memo: FOCUS San Diego/Chris T, PO Box 871578, Kansas City, MO 64187) or the St. Spyridon Choir.