Athanasios Skourtas passed away of a stroke on May 24, 2020. Known as Athen, Thanos, Thanasis or Tom, he was 79 years old.

He is survived by Pandora, his devoted wife of 55 years, his sons Nick and Tony, daughter-in-law Angelique, daughter Angela, sister and brother-in-law Peggy and Alex Dogris, and many nieces and nephews, brothers-in-law and cousins, both in the U.S. and in Greece. He was predeceased by his sister Chrysoula Bonaparte.

He was born in Vartholomio, Ilias, Greece in 1941. When he was three years old, his parents Antonis and Antzoulitsa both died as a result of German land mines just outside his village. His aunt and uncle, Alexandra and Nikolaos Loukisas, took the three children in and kept the family together - an act of kindness that he spoke of frequently and was forever grateful.

He was raised on a farm where he grew to love fig trees and grape vines, but his favorite figs were always the ones he stole from his sister's tree. Until his final days, he delighted in growing his own fruits and vegetables and sharing them with family, friends, neighbors, and passers-by.

After serving in the Greek Army, he married Pandora in 1965. Two years later during political turmoil a military dictatorship took over the Greek government. It was then that he moved the family to the United States to be near his sisters in Southern California. Raising their three children was their greatest joy. He took great pride in his kids and probably enjoyed their high school years even more than they did.

He had a life-long involvement in the food and restaurant industry where he had a large circle of friends. He owned several businesses, but the one he enjoyed most was as the owner of Pacific Starr Restaurant where he loved being a part of the community, connecting with the customers, and getting to know the local high schoolers.

He loved talking to people and always left an impression. People would remember the "bald-headed Greek" as he liked to refer to himself.

He was spontaneous and fun, quirky and a prankster, generous, a mechanic and fisherman, and always the proud Greek, because as much as he loved America, in his heart he never really left Greece.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church by one of the following methods:
Mail to: 5761 E. Colorado Street, Long Beach, CA 90814
Venmo: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/venmo/id351727428
PayPal: www.assumptionlb.org/stewardship/
(In memory of Athanasios Skourtas).

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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