Obituary of Fotios Paul Zahos

The Life of Fotios Paul Zahos Born October 29, 1932 in Argostoli, Kefalonia, Greece, Fotios Paul Zahos passed at the age of 81 on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at 5:54 PM in his home in Woodbridge, CA where he lived and raised his family for 37 years. Fotios, Paul as many in America knew him, grew up during World War II and the occupation of his beloved Kefalonia at the age 6 and the Great Earthquake of 1953 his island. He would often speak about the day-to-day struggles of finding food and hiding in war torn buildings these events permeated his life and strengthened his work ethic. He always remembered what it was like to feel true hunger. When he turned 18 he joined the Greek military in Athens until the age of 21. After he left the military he continued to live in Athens where he and a friend opened and operated a handmade shoe store. In March 1964, he was introduced to Elpida Gerolimatos, in Kaligata, Kefalonia, Greece. They married six months after they met on August 24, 1964 and they went to Athens where they welcomed the birth to their first son, Petros in June 1965 and their daughter Marika in September 1967. Times in Greece were very difficult during this time with most people struggling to provide for their families. After the military juntas in 1967 the Greek economy was in shambles and he knew they had to leave. In order to make a better life for his family, Fotios sold his business and moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1970. After a short stay in Boston Fotios, moved to Lodi, CA. In August 1971 he was blessed with his third child Jerry. In 1977, Fotios purchased his home in Woodbridge, CA where he lived with his wife of nearly 50 years until his passing. He was a humble hard workingman that cared deeply about his family and friends. His life lessons have shaped the lives of everyone he touched and had a profound impact on shaping the lives of his children. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and reading his Greek newspapers and books. His favorite sport was soccer; he loved his team Olympiacos C.F.P. (»), his favorite football team was the Dallas Cowboys, enjoyed watching golf and walking around Lodi Lake. When he passed he was surrounded by his loving family and was in the comfort of his home. He will be missed and remembered by everyone he touched and loved by his family forever. He was preceded in death by: Father: Petros Zahos, Mother: Marika Zahos, Brother: Gerasimos Zahos,Granddaughter: Gillian Cordelia Paternostro. He is survived by: Wife: Elpida Zahos, Son: Pete (Petros) Zahos and his wife Kristi, Daughter MarikaZahos - Paternostro and her husband Pat, Son: Jerry Fotios Zahos and his wife Julie, Grandchildern: Alexander Paul Zahos, Nickolas Scott Zahos, Matthew Petros Zahos and Angelo Fotios Paternostro, Karly, Jakob, Danyele, Sierra, Cousin: attending from Kefalonia, Greece Evgenia Bekatorou Friends are invited to visit prior to Tisagion on Monday, February 17, at 6pm at Lodi Funeral Home commemorate by Father Constantine Efsathiu. A service will be held on Tuesday, February 18, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Basil's Greek Orthodox Church at 920 West March Lane, Stockton, CA. commemorated by Father Pete Sotiras. Committal will follow at Cherokee Memorial Park.