Spiro "Spike" Lambrakis of Los Alamitos, California was born on December 17, 1926 in Corfu, Greece. He was named after Saint Spiridon, the patron saint of the island. Spiro fell asleep in the Lord on December 30, 2015 at the age of 89.

He came to America with his parents in 1930 at the age of 4.  He grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts. As a child he had a deep interest in mechanical things and electronics. He would drive his parents crazy with the little gadgets he would invent such as wiring the front door so nobody could get in or out without pushing a button.

In 1943, his family moved to Long Beach, California. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the US Army to fight in World War II.  He was part of the Asian Pacific Campaign. After the war ended in 1945, he was stationed in Japan serving as sergeant directly under General Douglas MacArthur.

After the war, Spiro finished high school, went to trade school to study electronics and got work as an electronics mechanic at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard.  In 1952 on a trip back to Massachusetts to visit relatives, he met his wife Catherine Costa.  They were married on December 7, 1952 and settled in Long Beach, California.

Shortly after getting married, he left the shipyard and went into business for himself selling, installing and repairing high-end stereo equipment and televisions. He sold Karen and Richard Carpenter (The Carpenters) their first microphone and amplifier.

Years later, Spiro went into the car stereo business selling, installing and repairing car stereos.  On day in the early 1970's two brand new Volkswagen vans pulled in to get car stereos and speakers installed.  Who got out of the vans?  John Lennon, George and Ringo, who were in town for a possible Beatles reunion.

In 1976, Spiro moved his family to Los Alamitos, California, left the car stereo business and returned to the Long Beach Naval Shipyard to put in a few more years to get his pension.  He later transferred to the Seal Beach Weapons Station and retired in 1989 to become a full-time Papou!

Spiro was very likeable, kind and easy-going.  He saw the good in everybody. He had a sunny disposition and enjoyed people.  He was a great story teller. He also was very handy and could fix or repair almost anything. If something broke around the house or if a toy no longer worked, "Don't worry, Dad/Papou will fix it!"

Spiro loved investing in the stock market.  He started with $100 back in the 1960's and never put in another penny out of his own pocket.  He built himself quite a nice portfolio. He had a very simple investing philosophy - buy quality dividend-paying stocks and hold them for the long-term. His other passion was the horse races.

He loved handicapping the horse races.  He liked to spend hours and hours studying the horse races trying to come up with the "perfect" system.  He looked forward to going to the racetrack - being in the outdoors, sharing handicapping theories and making new friends.  If it was a Saturday, you knew Spiro was at the horse races.

He was a member of the Long Beach Chapter #342 of the Order of AHEPA.

Spiro is survived his wife Catherine Lambrakis of Los Alamitos, California; his son Paul Lambrakis; his son / daughter-in-law Mike and Rachel Lambrakis, daughter Julie Lambrakis, sister Bessie Parros, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren with one on the way. He is predeceased by his son George Lambrakis and brother George Lambrakis.

We will miss you Dad / Papou / Uncle / Brother and Friend!  May Your Memory Be Eternal!

Trisagion service at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 5761 E. Colorado Street, Long Beach, CA  90814. Funeral service at 1:00 pm on Thursday, January 7, 2016, also at Assumption. Burial service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 1500 E. San Antonio Drive, Long Beach, CA 90807.

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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