Harry George Siafaris passed away on Friday, May 27, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.

Harry was born on February 2, 1933, in Havari, Ilias, near Olympia to parents George and Maria, and was the oldest of five siblings. He finished high school nearby in Amaliada in 1951.

Soon after his 19th birthday, he was sponsored by his uncle and came to Salt Lake City, Utah and worked in Bingham Copper Mine. He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, and went to basic training at Fort Ord in Monterey, CA and then served in Alaska. He became an American citizen while in Alaska.

He completed his army service in 1956 and stopped in Los Angeles to visit his maternal aunt Soteria en route to Salt Lake City. He liked Los Angeles so much that he decided to move there. One of his good friends found him a job as a buyer at Voi Shan Aerospace, an airplane part manufacturer. While working there, he attended El Camino College and earned an Associate degree.

In 1960, while visiting his family in Greece, he met Voula (Paraskevi Bartzilas), his future wife. They were married in Patras, Greece in September 1960. They settled in Los Angeles and began attending Saint Sophia Cathedral. Harry served on the cathedral's Parish Council, was president of the Los Angeles Hesperia chapter of AHEPA and later became Supreme Governor. He was a member of Leadership 100, and an Archon of the Order of Saint Andrew.

He started Astro Burgers franchises in 1966, and in the 1970s opened Astro Coffee Shop and Astro Family restaurant. In 1983, he bought Jan's restaurant, an iconic diner that was a Los Angeles landmark and like home to many locals. In 1980, he was a founder and Director of Wilshire State Bank, which is now Bank of Hope, and was on the Board of Directors until 2020. He was well loved by customers, vendors and employees who will sorely miss him.

He never failed to visit his homeland and village every summer. He supported his village in many ways. One example was that he rebuilt the Saint George church in Havari after it was destroyed in a devastating earthquake. This was the church where he was baptized. In 2011, his namesake grandson was also baptized there, an event that Harry deeply cherished.

In his own quiet way, Harry helped numerous people in their times of need. His generosity knew no bounds.

He is survived by his loving wife, Voula, son George (Elina), daughter Maria and grandchildren, Constantine, Eva and Harry. Harry is also survived by his brother Pete, his sister Theodora and nieces and nephews.

May his Memory be Eternal.

Trisagion will be at 5:00pm on Sunday, June 5, 2022 at Saint Sophia Cathedral, 1324 South Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006. Funeral and interment will take place in Havari, Ilias, Greece.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Foundation of Saint Sophia Cathedral at the above address.

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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