NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – Fr. Vasilios Thanos, 86, a retired priest, died Sept. 2. He recently had been honored for his unprecedented 50 years service to the community of St. Nicholas Church. He was a native of Koutroumpouchi, Tripolis, Greece and attended public schools in Tripoli and Megaloupolis, Greece. He lived with his family in the farming community of Daphne.

He enrolled at the theological school in Kalamata in 1954 and graduated in 1957. After serving in the Greek army He married Sophia K. Kostopoulos of Tripoli Aug. 30, 1959. He immigrated to the U.S. in February 1962 and initially worked for Exxon Oil Co.. She predeceased him Feb. 27, 2015. He was ordained a deacon Feb. 13, 1966 and as a priest March 6, 1966 by Bishop Demetrios of Olympos at St. Nicholas Church in Granada Hills, Calif. (now in Northridge). He had been active in the church as a sexton and Greek language instructor. He served as assistant priest at St. Nicholas Church from 1966 until his retirement on March 30, 1995.

Survivors include two daughters, Connie and Niki. Funeral services took place Sept. 9 with Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco officiating. Memorials may be made to the St. Nicholas School, 9501 Balboa, Blvd., Northridge, CA 91325 “I have never known a more kind and gentle soul as Fr. Vasilios,” said Metropolitan Gerasimos, “and one who was fully focused on sharing the love of God as he labored in the Lord’s Holy Vineyard.”