Dimitrios Anargyros Damilatis of La Crescenta, CA, fell into eternal sleep on November 22, 2021. Dimitrios was born on June 17, 1934 in Kalamata, Greece. He was the first child born to Anargyros and Golfo (Gyftakis) Damilatis. His baby sister, Maria, 4 years younger, passed away just shy of her first birthday, leaving Dimitrios to be raised as an only child.

The WWII Nazi occupation of Greece during his childhood had a huge impact on Dimitrios' life. He watched a German Commander overtake and setup headquarters in his grandparents' Kalamata home and soon after moved to Athens with his parents to oversee the permits needed for his father's business, Damilatis Bros Cigarettes. With the use of a company truck, they were able to move cigarettes (as well as people) through Greece. Dimitrios bear witness to many people arriving at his home seeking asylum from the Nazis, including a Greek Resistance leader who helped orchestrate the sinking of a German submarine; a neighboring Greek Officer sought for execution, and later the Officer's wife who was hidden in their attic for weeks; a lawyer who escaped a train headed for a concentration camp; and an Italian Commander (and Count) that his father smuggled out of Kalamata in the cigarette truck to a boat waiting to take him back to Italy. The gratitude that came from saving his life was later followed by an invitation to Milan where Dimitrios was hosted by the Count and recalled the amazing night at the Milano Opera House in the Count's private balcony. Dimitrios also witnessed his father's physical assault and capture by German soldiers for questioning and imprisonment in a Nazi jail. Along with his mother, he visited his father daily bringing him food for a month before he was finally released by the Germans. All these experiences shaped Dimitrios' huge sense of loyalty and pride for his family and country, along with a lifelong passion for WWII events.

Post-war life brought the family back to Kalamata where Dimitrios finished his schooling. He then worked for the family cigarette business for many years, and simultaneously worked as a wine distributor for the Greek winery Achaia Clauss selling wine to all the local restaurants, bars and taverns in Kalamata. He later opened his own store "Petrogaz" in Kalamata selling refrigerators & appliances. He eventually closed the shop and decided to head for America once the Damilatis Bros Cigarette factory closed forever, leaving Karelia as the leading manufacturer in Kalamata, and soon all of Greece.

He took a year to travel the world visiting Africa, Egypt, Spain, England, Greenland and many other countries before coming to America in 1972. Being so well known and well liked, he quickly met many of his former compatriots from Kalamata in Los Angeles and was introduced to a fellow Kalamatiani, Eleni Dimitrakopoulos. They were married on January 7, 1973 and had two daughters together who were his pride and joy. His wanderlust continued as he explored the entire West Coast with his family driving up to Vancouver twice and visiting the National Parks in between. He especially loved Lake Tahoe and the giant Redwoods. Dimitrios worked in the Aerospace Industry at Aircraft Hydroforming for the next 15 years, while being a very active and present father pushing education above all else.

He is survived by his loving wife Eleni of 48 years, daughters Maria (Patrick) Maloney and Jenny (Niko) Yiakas, along with five grandchildren Tommy & Katie Maloney, Arianna, Zoe & Sophia Yiakas. His love of family will sustain his memory in our hearts forever.

Trisagion and funeral services at Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church, 778 S. Rosemead Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107. Trisagion on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 7:00pm. Funeral service on Friday, December 17, 2021 at 10:00am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Dimitrios to Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church, 778 S. Rosemead Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107.

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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