Theodore N. Huntalas

Theodore (Ted) Nicholas Huntalas, 93, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2016. He was the youngest son of Greek immigrants Nicholas and Vasiliki (nee Papasinou) Huntalas who emigrated from the Arcadian region of Greece. They were among the earliest settlers of Vista CA, and in 1911 acquired a 420 acre tract of land that had originally been part of a Mexican land grant that covered the North County region. Ted was born on June 6, 1923 in their original farmhouse on the family ranch in Vista that later became known as Rancho Minerva. He was raised in the Rancho Minerva Adobe which now serves as the home of the Vista Historical Society Museum in which he was a lifetime member. Ted attended Vista area schools from kindergarten through 12th grade and was a graduate of the first senior class at Vista High School. Following high school graduation, Ted served in the US Army for two years during WWII in the Philippines. He was discharged in 1946 as a Staff Sergeant and then attended UC Berkeley. After college graduation, Ted returned to Rancho Minerva to manage the family business, and later became a realtor and land developer. Ted was witness to the development of the North County agricultural region that transformed from dry farming with the advent of electricity and water in the 1930’s. Rancho Minerva served as a hub of agricultural development for the burgeoning citrus and avocado industries in the North County. In 1962 he married Irene Samios from Joliet, Illinois and raised his family on Rancho Minerva surrounded by many relatives. After 70 years on the ranch, he and his wife retired in 1993. Throughout Ted’s entire life, he was a very active, energetic person who embraced life to the fullest – including traveling the world with his beloved wife, Irene, and family members. He approached everything in life with a smile on his face and with always a kind word to say about everybody. He instilled the values of hard work, generosity, and perseverance to those around him based on his life experiences. He was an inspiring grandfather to his four grandchildren. He will always be remembered as their loving “Papou.” Ted was a member the St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church. He was also a member of the AHEPA and the Pan Arcadian Greek philanthropic organizations. He is preceded in death by his older siblings, William Huntalas and Annie Drakos. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Irene, and his three children: Bette (Vasi) Huntalas, married to Dan Franks; Nick Huntalas, married to Paula; and Maria Huntalas, married to John Paul Ferguson. He leaves behind his grandchildren: Alexa Mikalaski, Athena, Eleni and Theo Huntalas along with many loving nieces, nephews and many members of his big Greek family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church.