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Michael Nicholas Economou - 1916-2014

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Michael Nicholas Economou - 1916-2014

Posted: 2 Jul 2014 8:00AM GMT
Classification: Obituary
SANTA CRUZ, CALIF. - Michael Nicholas Economou passed away at his home on June 26, 2014 just three days short of celebrating his 98th birthday.
He was surrounded by his family and friends.

Michael (Mihali) was born on June 29, 1916, in Symi, Greece, to Irene (Moskos) and Nicholas Economou.
He was a World War II veteran, having served honorably in both the U.S. Army and the Royal Hellenic Navy.
While in the U.S. Army, he served with the legendary 601st Tank Destroyer Batallion.

Under special orders of the War Department, Michael was later reassigned to an elite Greek Naval unit to assist in the allied invasion of Sicily.

Following the war, he lived in the Bronx area of New York, before moving to Youngstown, Ohio, (Mahoning County) where he married Mary Faklis, also originally from Symi.

He was a devoted husband and father to three children, Nicholas, George, and Irene. Michael worked at Sheet and Tube, and the Republic Steel Corporation while living in Youngstown, Ohio for over 30 years.
He belonged to United Steel Workers Union, Local 1331.

Upon retiring from the steel industry in 1979, he and his wife moved to Santa Cruz, Calif.

He was a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Youngstown, OH

Michael was kind-hearted and generous. He supported his widowed mother, and regularly sent gifts of clothes, toys, and monetary donations to the local church and school in his birthplace in Symi.
For hobbies, he enjoyed fishing and gardening.
Michael was preceded in death by his brother, John, and sister Maria.

He leaves Mary, his wife for nearly 67 years; two sons, Nicholas (Annemarie), living in Mooresville, N.C., and George, living in Santa Cruz; and one daughter, Irene, living in San Jose, Calif. He also leaves seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held Thursday, July 3, at 11 a.m., at the Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, located at 223 Church St. in Santa Cruz.

A short graveside service with military honors will be held at the Santa Cruz Memorial Mission Cemetery at 1927 Ocean St.
Flowers or cards can be sent in care of the Santa Cruz Memorial Mission Chapel, 1927 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Donations can be made on behalf of Michael Economou to the Santa Cruz Animal Shelter at 2200 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062

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