Pete "Panagioti" Angelus was born April 12, 1937 in Hostia (Prodromos), a small village in Greece near Thebes, to Themosthenes and Maria Angelus. His early years coincided with World War II and for Greeks of that generation that meant a life of survival, of watching the village being destroyed and hiding in caves and makeshift dwellings. The Greek Civil War soon followed and with all this chaos, poverty and despair as a backdrop he decided, as so many young Greeks of that era, to make the trek to the United States for a better life and the proverbial American dream.

He took a boat from Greece to New York in 1954, arriving at Ellis Island. He then made his way to Southern California via train to meet the one relative he had in this country, his uncle Harry.

Pete soon became acclimated to his new country. He attended and graduated from Hollywood High School while working nights at a restaurant. In later years he would regale us with stories about life in his new country in the 50s, about the music, the lifestyle, his Ford Thunderbird and Corvette, about the celebrities and famous athletes he met during those years.

In 1962 Pete returned to Greece to marry the love of his life, Tina Dritsoulas. They returned to the U.S. to live their dream life. Soon after sons Tim, Tony and Dean were born. A home was purchased in Canoga Park and all the hard work and long hours Dad put in the restaurant business were rewarded when he opened his own restaurant in 1971.

Soon after, the family moved to Downey to be closer to the family business. And at last a daughter, Mary, was born in 1972 to round out the family. In 1979 the family moved to La Mirada, to the home Dad lived in for the next 44 years.

Dad was a devoted husband and father. Having grown up with next to nothing, there was nothing he wouldn't do for his family. He treasured taking time off each summer to go on vacations, whether to Greece or on long family road trips.

Life was good for Dad. The family had grown up and an empty nest was in the offing when life took a bad turn in November 1994 when Tina was diagnosed with brain cancer. She passed a year later. Life would never be quite the same.

Dad's business acumen had served him well and the success of the restaurant and his investments allowed him to retire in 1998. In retirement he made a number of visits back to Greece. At home he now had the time to pursue his favorite hobby, golf. He always looked forward to trips to Canada and to Palm Springs with the "Greek Army". And judging by the trophies on his fireplace mantel he was a pretty good golfer.

His other joy, in his later years, was his grandchildren. He was blessed with 6 granddaughters and a grandson. He was always beyond generous with them.

Four months ago Dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. A fiercely private and proud man, he was at peace with the Lord and just wanted not to suffer and not to put the family through too much hardship.

Dad passed away April 29, 2023.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Tina. He is survived by his only sibling, his sister Victoria (Tosounis) and brother-in-law Nontas, by his son Tim and daughter-in-law Sonia and their daughters Elyse and Lauren, by his son Tony, by his son Dean and daughter-in-law Christi and their daughters Athena and Daphne, and by his daughter Mary (Lattin) and son-in-law Trevor and their children Katrina, Juliana and Hudson.

The Trisagion will take place at 7:00pm on Monday, May 15, 2023 at Saint John Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim. Funeral services will be at 10:30am on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Saint John Church with the Makaria to follow in the dining hall, and then the procession to Rose Hills in Whittier.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to Saint John Greek Orthodox Church, 405 North Dale Street, Anaheim, CA 92801.

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

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

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