Spyros Pappas, 89, of Northridge, California, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025, after a valiant 6-month fight against an aggressive form of esophageal cancer.

Spyros Pappas was born on the beautiful Ionian island of Zakynthos, Greece, to Nikolaos and Matilda (Mavrogiani) Papadatos on February 8, 1936. He was the fifth son in the family, joining his older brothers Andoni, Kostaki, Dionysaki, and his previously deceased infant brother Gerasimos. Those early days of an innocent childhood were soon shattered by the arrival of WWII on the island in May 1941, followed by the death of brother Kostaki in 1941, his father in 1944, and his mother in 1950. Orphaned at the age of 14, Spyros spent a couple of very difficult years working long days at his godparents' cafe in the Athens suburb of Marousi, while trying to go to school.

In February 1952, at age 16, Spyros made the 18-day journey aboard the S.S. Argentina to come to America for a new and better life. He was adopted by distant cousins of his mother, Steven and Lorraine (Christopherson) Pappas. This new life in Minneapolis brought Spyros hope and opportunities for the future. He immediately acclimated to life in America and attended Roosevelt High School, where he lettered in wrestling, track & field, and cross-country. He also sang in the choir at Saint Mary's Greek Orthodox Church.

Upon graduating high school in 1956, he enlisted in the Marines for the next very formative period of his life. From June 1956 to July 1959, Spyros was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego and quickly rose through the ranks to Sergeant. For everyone who knew Spyros, he embodied "once a Marine, always a Marine" and Semper Fi.

Back in Minneapolis, Spyros joined the Masonic Joppa Lodge #300 in 1959 and once again rose through the ranks as he memorized the first 3 degrees in his first 6 weeks. He also started his professional life as the Assistant Officer Manager at Anderson Pontiac in Minneapolis.

On November 6, 1960, Spyros married the greatest love of his life and fellow Zakynthian, Tasi Mantanes, in Chicago. Their 65 years of marriage and enduring care for one another became the cornerstone of their lives. In 1962, Spyros joined the Sinclair Oil Company in Chicago to begin a 35-year career at the company and its subsequent formation as ARCO.

As the couple laid the foundation for a family, Spyros and Tasi welcomed their first child, Steven, in 1965, followed by their daughter, Mary, in 1968. Job opportunities and a corporate transfer took the young family to the Philadelphia suburb of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, in 1972. The next corporate transfer in 1977, then brought the family to Los Angeles.

The other great anchor in Spyros' life was his faith and love for the Greek Orthodox Church. In the short 5 years at Saint Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill, he served as Parish Council Treasurer, Vice President, and President, leading a major building campaign for their new Community Center. At Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Northridge, he served 3 years on the Parish Council.

His professional career as a petroleum industry executive at ARCO, specializing in excise tax, took him to cities across the United States and the world. He took tremendous pride in his work and the colleagues he worked with. He retired in 1997 to enjoy years of traveling with Tasi back to Greece, their beloved Maui, and other U.S. destinations.

In retirement, Spyros also rekindled his involvement with the Masonic fraternal order and joined the Hollywood Lodge #355 and the Home Lodge #721. He once again ingrained himself in the Brotherhood. In 2008, he received the prestigious honor of the Hiram Award from the Hollywood Lodge.

Spyros is survived by his wife Tasi of 65 years, his children Steven (Christine) Pappas and Mary (Michael) Scheer, his grandchildren Presvytera Danae (Father Efstratios) Magoulias, Nicolas Pappas, and Sophia Pappas, and his great-granddaughters Stephanie and Georgia "Gia" Magoulias.

The Trisagon Service will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 7:00 pm. The Funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 10:00 am. Both will take place at:

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
9501 Balboa Blvd.
Northridge,  CA  91325
Tel: 818-886-4040

May his  memory be eternal.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Saint Nicholas Memorial Fund. Please use the link below to make your donations.
https://stnicholas.fellowshiponego.com/external/form/0adaa146-6f36-4ad1-bfb6-6fe6ecdf3d33

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