Peter Parashos' Obituary
Peter Parashos, known to friends as “Pete,” was born on September 11th, 1930 in San Diego, California. He is the only son of Panagiotia Seligiorgis and John Parashos, Greek immigrants from Achladokampos. At the age of three, Peter’s father unexpectedly passed away, widowing Panagiotia after only 4 years of marriage. A few years thereafter, Panigiota met and married Andrew Kostakos, a produce salesman from Belisi. Without hesitancy, he raised Pete and his sister Helen as his own children and welcomed a third child, Sophia. Andrew was deeply beloved by Peter, he regarded his stepfather as a loving, caring, and kind man. As a young adult, Peter went on to graduate from San Diego High School and attended junior college but halted his education to serve his country in the Korean War.
After returning safely from Korea, Pete came back to San Diego, where he met the love of his life Voula. They remained in love and best friends for almost 60 wonderful years of marriage.
Pete’s work ethic was legendary. As a young boy he would sell newspapers on street corners with his sister Helen during The Depression to help his family. In his adult years, he held a variety of jobs including supermarket manager and the regional real estate acquisition director for San Diego and Imperial Counties for Southland Corporation, owner of 7/11 stores. In 1978 Pete partnered with his brothers-in-law to form Merziotis Properties/Argus Stores. He considered this his calling and passion as he worked side-by-side with family to locate, open, and operate their own convenience stores and restaurants. This partnership then successfully turned into a real estate development of commercial and residential properties. Pete loved every minute of his time spent working and strategizing the success of the family ventures. Even as a retiree he would routinely pass by the properties and visit with tenants.
Pete was in every way a family man - “family first” was his motto. His happiness came from being surrounded by family. He loved nothing more than family gatherings for celebrations and holidays. He used any excuse for the family to be together. He was an avid sports fan, attending Padres and Charger games for over six decades and rarely missed a sporting event that involved his sons, granddaughters or grandsons.
Pete embraced his Greek Orthodox faith and was a generous benefactor of his beloved church, Saint Spyridon as well as Saint Gregory. He was a tireless volunteer and member of the parish council, serving as chairman of many events, and was even a forming member of The Greek Festival from its inception.
Peter Parashos will be remembered as a great father, loving husband, generous and kind papou, and a loyal friend and advisor to countless people who came to know him.
Peter is survived by his wife Voula Parashos, his sister Sophia Roumpos, his two children Andrew and Tom Parashos, his daughters-in-law Maureena and Hedda Parashos, his six grandchildren Alexa (Paul), Andrea, Eleni, Peter, Thomas and Andrew, and one great grandchild, Hunter.
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