Athanasios D. Zazakis

Athanasios Demetrios Zazakis, of Grand Rapids, passed away Monday July 31, 2023 at the age of 95.  Athanasios was born in Rentina, Greece on September 27, 1927 to the late Dimitrios and Eugenia Zazakis.  He will be lovingly remembered by his children Dimitrios Zazakis, John (Laura) Zazakis, Eugenia (Vasili) Kapralos and grandchildren Kathryn Marina Zazakis and Athanasios Kapralos.  He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife Marina in 2017 and one sister Irene Nenou. 

Athanasios came to the United States from Greece and was a former Lieutenant in the Greek Army.   He proudly served in the Greek military during difficult times in his homeland.  He always looked back at his time in the military as a time where he gained the experience in life that would help him when he came to the United States. 

Like many immigrants, Athanasios came to the United States along with his wife, Marina, and daughter, Eugenia, in the 1950’s in search of a better life for his family.  He succeeded in that.

Athanasios was a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church for nearly 70 years. 

He will be remembered for the love he had for his family, his native homeland and his adopted homeland.  He worked tirelessly during his lifetime to make sure his family had whatever they wanted and was proud of the life he made in the United States.  He will be missed by all those who had the chance to meet him but especially by his loving family. 

The funeral service will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday August 7, 2023 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 330 Lakeside Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.  Visitation will be held Sunday from 6-8pm at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home with a Trisagion service at 7pm.  Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.  

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