On July 23, 2020, our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Theodore Patzanakidis, suddenly departed from this earthly world to another one devoid of pain and suffering. He left, leaving behind his best creation, his family.

Theodore was born October 3, 1930 in a small village in Northern Greece, named Livera, the son of Konstandinos Patzanakidis and Despina Hatzisavidis. Early life in the village was very difficult and as World War II ended, it got even worse. He loved education and wanted to continue past Elementary School. Due to the destruction from the war, schooling was a luxury. Despite that, he would walk up to an hour just to go to school. Then he joined the Greek military, where he served proudly and with distinction for about 5 years. Upon discharge and because there was scarcity of opportunities, he decided to move to Athens.

During his early years there, he was willing to do anything in order to make a living. He took on all different kinds of jobs. In 1959 he met and married Maria Galianidis. Three years later their first child came, a boy named after his father, Konstandinos. The next couple of years revolved around hard work and many sacrifices. Finally a decision was made and the family moved to America.

Theodore, Maria and Konstandinos arrived in New York in 1964 with very little in money and resources but with the determination to make it in the new land. A year later in 1965, the second child was born, a girl named Helen. The next 3 decades were filled with hard work, sacrifices in order to provide food, clothing and shelter for his wife and children. Theodore worked for 10-12 hours daily at a sausage factory and managed to provide for his family, educate both his children and built a comfortable life for the whole family. He watched proudly as his son became a law enforcement officer and his daughter a beloved physician.

He had two passions in life other than his family: he was an avid reader and had a great affinity for ecclesiastical music. When the cantor at St. Nicholas, a small parish in lower Manhattan, fell ill, he stepped in and eventually - through hard work - became the regular cantor for the next 20 years.

Following 35 years of hard work, Theodore decided to retire and enjoy his life. He was known to live life to its fullest. He started traveling to his beloved Greece regularly, enjoying the summers with friends and relatives. Every summer was an experience full of great memories that he shared with all his loved ones. When his daughter, Helen married and the first grandchild came, he and Maria decided to move from New York to Southern California in order to assist in the raising of the grandson.

During the next 17 years, he enjoyed every moment with his wife, daughter, son, son in law and grandsons, George and Theodore. He got the chance to raise two small children, since he never got the chance to do it raising his own due to his extended work schedule. He loved driving the boys to school, Little League practices and games, while at the same time he worked on his garden, growing fruits and vegetables. All the neighbors got to enjoy home grown tomatoes, figs and other products.

Unfortunately, on July 23rd it all came to an abrupt end. His passing leaves behind his whole family grieving, more because they never got to say "goodbye". He passed peacefully knowing that he left everything settled, his children in good standing and his spouse well cared for. He will always be remembered for being unselfish, always putting his wife and children first, for living his life according to Christian values and principles. He lived what he taught and also because he lived life as much as anyone could. His life is worth a lot due to the legacies he left behind. His children and grandchildren.

Funeral at 11am on Thursday, July 30, 2020 at Chapman Funeral Homes, 702 East Chapman Avenue, Orange, California 92866. Interment to follow at Fair Haven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, California.

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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