James G Mastorakos' Obituary
James (Jim) George Mastorakos, a lifelong San Diegan passed away on October 13, 2023 at the age of 92. Jim was the oldest child born to George and Anastasia Mastorakos. His father was a Greek immigrant from a small village outside of Tripolis in the Greek Peloponnese. His mother was from Athens, Greece, with roots extending from the island of Andros. He was born during the Great Depression. To make a living his father and fellow Greeks, the Krooskos brothers, partnered to open the BeeHive Market grocery store, located on 10th and Broadway in downtown San Diego. Jim worked in the market too, doing everything from stocking shelves, working produce, sweeping floors, to running the cash register where he was known as the store expert on making change.
Jim grew up in South Park, attending Brooklyn Elementary, Roosevelt Jr High, and San Diego High. He was baptized at St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church (GOC) located in those days at 25th and Market. Always active at the Church, Jim was an altar boy, sang in the choir, attended Greek school, was a member of GOYA, danced in the Greek folk dance troupe, and served on the Parish Council.
Jim’s high school (HS) years emulated the movie Grease. He looked like John Travolta with the “white t-shirt, starched blue jeans, and penny loafers.” In HS he was part of the Letterman’s club (football and track & field teams), the Spartans club, and the Dance club. After HS, when the Korean War broke out, Jim enlisted in the US Navy in 1950. He served at Naval Station Treasure Island, and aboard the ship, The USS Mitchell, where he crossed the Pacific Ocean 18 times. While stationed at Treasure Island Jim became a Greek interpreter for the visiting Greek Naval officers at the United Nations Conference. After an honorable discharge, he attended the University of San Diego (USD), where he graduated with a BA in Business Administration. It was there that Jim met his best buddies who would remain close lifelong friends. He married his dearest Mary Lamprou in 1965 at St Spyridon GOC (now on Park Blvd). They were married for 58 wonderful years!
Faith in God and family always came first in the Mastorakos household. Jim and Mary were blessed with two beautiful children, Stephanie (1968) and George (1970). Jim worked for 40 years in business, starting at General Dynamics, then as a bank loan officer, and lastly busily managing his SD real estate properties. Being born and residing his entire life in SD, he was always fond of exclaiming, “This is paradise!”
Watching football was one of Jim’s favorite pastimes, especially with his son George by his side. Another favorite thing he loved was attending car shows throughout the county. During the summer months you could find him strolling La Mesa Blvd, looking for the latest souped-up ’34 FORD (his cherished HS and college car). Additionally, he was very proud of his Greek heritage and enjoyed being a long-standing member of the Pan-Arcadian Federation of America. Jim will forever be known for his “Mastorakos smile”, contagious laugh, twinkling eyes, fun personality, big heart, and generous soul. Even after the heartbreaking early loss of his beloved son George, he remained grateful for the life God blessed him with. As Jim would say, “I was given a full life. I experienced sorrow, joy, and love”.
May his dear sweet memory be eternal!
Donations in memory of Jim may be made to:
St Spyridon Bookstore, 3655 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA. 92103
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