Spyridon (Spyro) Sparangis was born in Athens, Greece, to Marietta Androulidaki Sparangis and Themistocles Sparangis. His recorded birthdate was May 25, 1933, but was actually born on October 5, 1930.  Born during the Great Depression, growing up during World War II and then the Greek Civil War, at a young age he experienced many hardships that others read about in history books.

He left Greece in 1953 and travelled to Brazil, joining his brother and other Greeks looking for a brighter future.  He left Brazil and returned to Greece to serve in military.  After completing his military service, he enrolled in a vocational school to get certified in the textile industry. While working in this capacity, he met and eventually married Helen (Eleni) Fragiskou in Athens, Greece, on March 8, 1959. Looking for a better life, one year later, on March 7, 1960 they left war torn and economically depressed Greece for Canada to join his sister, Rena and his brother, Stelios. Spyro and Helen gave birth to their one and only child, Themistocles (Themy) Sparangis on June 11, 1962 in Lindsey, Ontario, Canada. They lived in Canada until 1968, when a series of textile factory closures forced them to look for opportunity elsewhere.

Spyro, Helen, and Themy left Canada to join Spyro's brother and his family in Southern California.  They bought a house in Canoga Park (now West Hills) and Spyro restarted his life by learning a new trade as an assembly worker for pressure switches at Custom Control Sensors, in Chatsworth, California. He worked his way up to technical engineer before retiring. In 1999, Spyro and Helen left Southern California for Las Vegas, Nevada.  Spyro is survived by his wife, Helen, son, Themistocles, daughter-in-law, Christine, and granddaughter, Helene.

Funeral service will be Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 10:00am, held at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 10830 Downey Avenue, Downey, California 90241. Interment to follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park. May His Memory Be Eternal.

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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