Achilles Z. Achilles was born February 10, 1923 in Los Angeles, California. His parents, Zaferios Achilles and Fotini Chrysostomou, were Greek immigrants from Afthoni, Maramara. Weighing only two pounds at birth, Achilles was so small that he was fed goat milk with an eyedropper. When Achilles and his sisters, Kyriaki and Helen, were just a few years old, the family moved to Arcadia, California. Achilles enjoyed an idyllic childhood growing up on his family's poultry ranch, located just across the street from the future site of the Santa Anita Race Track. He sold newspapers at the race track, and while he was there, he had the opportunity to meet luminaries of the time, including Will Rogers, the Marx Brothers, and Seabiscuit.

Zaferios instilled in Achilles a love and deep knowledge of the Greek Orthodox Church; the pair served as psaltis of the Annunciation Church on San Julian Street in Los Angeles.

When World War II broke out, Achilles enlisted in the Coast Guard. He served on the USS Eastwind in the North Atlantic, and throughout his life relished in relaying stories of capturing Germans who were making their way to North America. However, the most exciting and significant event during Achilles' military career happened in his home port of Boston: he met the love of his life, Penelope J. Vlamos. On one of their first meetings, Achilles announced that he would marry Penny and take her back to California. He eventually won her—and her family—over with his warmth, wit, and perfect Greek.

In 1947 Achilles and Penelope married in Boston and returned to Los Angeles, where they moved into a home gifted to them by Achilles' beloved uncle and nouno, Anastasios "Tassos George" Chrysostomou. Achilles attended Woodbury College, where he studied business. He worked for the U.S. Treasury Department and later established his own business, Achilles Tax Consultants. In the mid-1950s, Achilles and Penny built a home in Arcadia where they raised their daughters, Fontaine and Joanna.

Achilles was an active member in the American Legion Leonidas Post #285 where he served as commander. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason at the Arcadia Masonic Lodge and a Shriner at the Al Malaikah Shrine Temple.

Achilles will be remembered for his generosity, mischievous humor, and love of the Church. He is survived by his daughter, Fontaine A. Malisos; grandson, Achilles "Ace" Malisos (Julia); great grandson, Benjamin Achilles Malisos; and granddaughter, Samantha Malisos. He was preceded in death by his wife, Penelope (1981) and daughter, Joanna (2003).

Services will be held at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Los Angeles: the trisagion will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday, October 22, 2015 and the funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, October 23, 2015. Interment to follow at Serbian United Benevolent Society Cemetery. Donations may be made in Achilles' memory to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or Saint Anthony Philoptochos Society.

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

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

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