Obituary of Michael Nicholas Economou

Michael Nicholas Economou passed away at his home in Santa Cruz, California, on Thursday evening, June 26th, just three days short of celebrating his 98th birthday. He was surrounded by his family and friends. Michael (Mihali) was born on June 29th, 1916, in Symi, Greece, to Irene (Moskos) and Nicholas Economou. Although Michael only had a formal education up to sixth grade, that did not deter him from continuing his education on his own. With just a Greek-English dictionary, he was able to learn how to speak, read, and write in English. He would often be seen reading the "Wall Street Journal," the local and out of town newspapers, and popular magazines to stay on top of the news in the USA and around the world. Michael was a World War II veteran, having served honorably in both the US Army and the Royal Hellenic Navy. While in the US 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 for a short time in the Bronx area of New York with his brother, John. It was while he was in New York that a fellow Symian reintroduced him to Mary Faklis, who lived in Campbell, Ohio. Michael had first met Mary when he was a youngster and she was a baby; both of their families lived in Symi before Mary and her parents moved to the USA when she was a year old. Mary's father had predicted to Michael that he would one day be married to his daughter, Mary. Little did he know at that time that this prophecy would come true over 20 years later. Faithful to Mary his loving wife, Michael was a devoted husband and father to three children: Nicholas, George, and Irene. He also was extremely fond of animals of all kinds, but especially loved dogs. He was particularly fond of his last dog, "Prince." Michael worked at Sheet and Tube, and the Republic Steel Corporation while living in Youngstown, Ohio, for a combined time of over 30 years. He belonged to United Steel Workers Union 1331. During the days of steel worker strikes, Michael would resort to painting houses to tide him over to support his family during the hard times. Upon retiring from the steel industry in 1979, he and his wife moved to Santa Cruz, California, to be close to two of his three children, George and Irene. He was a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Youngstown, Ohio, and a member of Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Santa Cruz, California. Michael was kind-hearted and generous, never forgetting his homeland roots. He helped to support his widowed mother, and would send gifts of clothes, toys, and monetary contributions to the local church and school to his birthplace in Symi, Greece. Michael particularly loved to fish and garden, growing vegetables and fruit trees. He would spend all of his daytime hours working in the yard or out on the sea. Michael was preceded in death by his brother John and sister-in-law Sevasti, sister Maria and brother-in-law Robert (Kitchen). He leaves his wife of 66 years, Mary (Faklis), two sons: Nicholas (wife Annemarie), living in Mooresville, North Carolina, and George, living in Santa Cruz, California, and one daughter, Irene, living in San Jose, California. He also leaves seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be held Thursday, July 3, at 11:00 AM at the Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church located at 223 Church Street in Santa Cruz. A short graveside service with military honors will be held at Santa Cruz Memorial Park at 1927 Ocean Street. Flowers or cards can be sent in care of Santa Cruz Memorial Mission Chapel, 1927 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Donations can be made on behalf of Michael Economou to the Santa Cruz Animal Shelter at 2200 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA.