Apostolos Galanakis, 83, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2023.

Apostolos was born January 3, 1940, in Kato Petralona, Athens, Greece to Michael (Kanalia, Karditsas) and Ephtehia (Megara) Galanakis, the oldest of four children that survived into adulthood. Growing up in the difficult times of WWII and its aftermath, he learned perseverance and taking on mature responsibilities at a young age. His earliest memories included tragically losing two of his older brothers. His childhood was spent helping in the family tavern, chanting at Agia Aikaterini of Kato Petralona, and playing soccer. As a teenager, he helped establish an ESTIA for youth to gather in a positive environment, which still exists today.  Apostolos was a Boy Scout and enjoyed serving as a Scout Leader into adulthood. Most significantly, Apostolos aspired for more in life and found education as the gateway to success. He spent his teenage years isolating himself in a "kamaraki" above the family home to study.  Apostolos is remembered for forcing his younger siblings to study and do well in school, especially his youngest brother Spiro.

His commitment to  academic excellence led him to graduate from the Prototype, 6th High School of Athens in 1958 and seek acceptance into the most esteemed university program of the time.  Apostolos successfully matriculated and graduated from the Polytechnic University of Athens with a degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in 1963. Upon graduation, he completed his mandatory military service as an officer in Larissa and later at the Greek Pentagon. Soon after, he found employment as Technical Head of Bottling and Manufacturing at FIX where he stayed until leaving for the U.S.A.

In April of 1972, after a long courtship, he married Zannet Pegadiotes.  Frustrated with the lack of political freedom in Greece at the time, they accepted an invitation from Zannet's brother (George) to immigrate in November, 1972 to Los Angeles.   What Apostolos intended as a two year stay to become fluent in English and further his education, led to the discovery of a profitable career as a restauranteur. He gained experience working at fast-casual restaurants and soon opened his own. After initial success in  fast-casual restaurant endeavors, Apostolos  owned and operated Kambos Family Restaurant in South Gate, CA, alongside his wife, for 23 years until their retirement in 2005, and dabbled in real estate investing. Apostolos' straight-forward, honest nature, and political mindedness quickly found him very involved in the local community. He was an active member in the Tweedy Mile Business Association, South Gate Kiwanis Club, and a 33rd degree Mason.

Apostolos' heart and mind was always on his beloved beach side area of Lagonisi, Greece. Apostolos and Zannet purchased land there in 1969 and visited yearly from the U.S. Just a couple weeks after selling Kambos, he was back in Lagonisi. Aside from daily swims and tending to his fruit trees, he kept very busy with local archeology, helping uncover ruins and their significance from ancient times, which led to the publishing of a booklet from the information that was collected. He also undertook real estate projects, such as the redevelopment of his family home in Kato Petralona into a newly constructed condominium building and the development of a home in Lagonisi. His time enjoying retirement and pursuing these various projects was cut short in 2019, when he had to return to Los Angeles for medical treatment.

Apostolos is survived by his wife of 51 years, Zannet; his children Michael and Effie (Thanos Sisilas) and granddaughter Niki Sisilas; his brother Spiro (Zoe) Galanakis and sister Hariklia Floraki; and many nieces and nephews; he was predeceased by his brother George Galanakis.

Donations in Apostolos's memory can be made to Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral or the National Hellenic Society Heritage Greece.

Trisagion and funeral services will be held together on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 11:30 A.M at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral 1324 S. Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006. Makaria luncheon immediately after the funeral service.  Followed by interment at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, CA at 3 P.M.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapman Funeral Homes - Mary Harmon, owner. Toll free (855) 628-0447.

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Obituary notice for Chapman Funeral Homes. Please visit www.chapmanfunerals.com .

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