DOWNEY – George Euangelos Anagnos, a longtime Downey resident and pioneering supporter of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, passed away Dec. 31. Born May 15, 1930 in Kapsia, Greece, Anagnos was raised through the worst of decades, beginning with the Depression, through World War II and the Greek civil war.

He experienced direct contact with occupational forces, being shot at and detained multiple times as a kid, “simply for living where he did,” family members said.

By the age of 20 he managed to leave Greece for the United States only to promptly have his surname shortened and to be drafted into the military for service in Korea. For reasons unknown to him, the U.S. Army released him prior to being shipped overseas.

Anagnos began working several jobs, some overlapping, until he settled as a factory foreman. After five years, he chose to give up his job to open his own restaurant. Over the next 15 years, along with his brother-in-law and partner, Anagnos opened nine restaurants, mostly Jim’s Burgers.

Anagnos married Penelope Frousakis, also from Kapsia, and had four boys.

He is survived by his wife, Penelope; sons, Angelo (Aristi), Pete (Joanne), Gus (Cristina) and George; and grandchildren, Georgia, Alexander, Lukas George, Chris, Georgios Euangelos, Angeliki and Penelope.

Memorial services were held Wednesday at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, with the funeral services the next day, also at St. George.

Interment followed at Rose Hills Memorial Park.

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Published: Jan. 8, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 39