It is with joyful sorrow that the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco announces the passing of Deacon Demetrios Diakos who fell asleep in the Lord on Saturday, April 18, 2015. He had suffered from many health ailments over the years, but maintained his faith and always accepted these challenges with courage and love for Jesus Christ. Deacon Demetrios is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Diakonissa Aspasia, daughter Mary, son Paul, and grandchildren Alexandra and Demetrios.
“I will always remember Deacon Demetrios for his unwavering faith in the face of adversity, and for his kind and gentle spirit,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “While there were many obstacles placed before him in this worldly life, he remained strong and confident, always accepting the Lord’s will. Deacon Demetrios is now at peace with the Lord, and is at last free from the limitations of his earthly body.”
The early years in Deacon Demetrios’ life in Greece were turbulent. He was surrounded by war, crime, hunger, disease and suffering. He persevered through all of this and it contributed to his strong character which remained with him until his last breath. He never forgot his humble roots, and worked hard throughout his life to provide for his family so they would not carry these same burdens he did as a child. Following his service in the Greek Royal Air Force he immigrated to Canada where he met and married his wife, Aspasia. Following the birth of their daughter, Mary, they moved to New Jersey, which would become the beginning of their new life in the United States of America.
For both health and career reasons, Deacon Demetrios moved to California in 1964 and lived in the bay area, attending parishes in Belmont and San Jose. While living in San Mateo, their second child, a son Paul, was born. Deacon Demetrios’ primary employment was with National Semiconductor, from which he retired in 1997.
Throughout his life, Deacon Demetrios was always involved with church, teaching Greek School, leading Bible Studies, and attending services regularly with his family. Eager to help spread the Orthodox faith, Deacon Demetrios and his family worked to establish the Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church in San Jose to serve the growing needs of the area. His zeal for the Lord brought him forth as a candidate for the Holy Diaconate to then-Bishop Anthony, of blessed memory, who ordained Deacon Demetrios to the Holy Diaconate in 1989. He faithfully served the communities of Saint Nicholas and Saint Basil in San Jose until 2007, at which time he retired due to his failing health, which included the amputation of both his legs.
Services for Deacon Demetrios Diakos will be held at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 986 Chapman Street, San Jose, CA. The Trisagion service is scheduled for Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m. On Friday, April 24, Orthros and Liturgy will begin at 7:00 a.m., followed by the Funeral Service at 9:00 a.m., presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas of the Dardanelles. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose, followed by the Makaria luncheon at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.
We pray that the Lord will grant His servant, Deacon Demetrios, everlasting rest among the righteous. May his memory be eternal!