Alex Louis Rigopoulos

Alex Rigopoulos was born in Mavriki, Tegea, Arcadia, Greece, the 9th of 10 children of Elias and Magdalini Rigopoulos. He finished high school in Tegea near Tripolis and attended the University of Athens in the School of Business and Economics. He arrived in the USA in 1951 and attended San Diego State University (BA in Economics) where he met his beloved wife, Jeanette, the daughter of the late Professor James E. and Mary Crouch. After graduate studies at UCLA, they were married.

In 1957, Alex founded Global Insurance Agency in San Diego, a successful enterprise in which he partnered with his son James for 17 years. Alex helped many people to find new opportunities for business and always supported students from Greece who came to study in San Diego just like he had done. He obtained his notary public license which enabled him to help many Greek immigrants in the community.

Alex took pride in sending Jeanette with the kids to spend summers in his village, Mavriki, and the Peloponnese. All have learned Greek and immersed themselves in the culture and traditions of his roots. Alex took special pride in Jeanette’s interest in “All Things Greek” and her activism in Greek service organizations. True to his agrarian roots, he also enjoyed the title “Gentleman Farmer” at the family’s C & R Ranch in Fallbrook, purchased with his father-in-law, growing avocados, citrus, and everything else under the sun.

Alex’s service and volunteer efforts involved a dedication to Ahepa, the Pan Arcadian Federation of America, the Greek Orthodox church, advocacy for preserving the Greek culture, and the liberation of Cyprus from Turkish occupation. Alex was a charter member of the George Polos chapter of Ahepa (North San Diego County) established in 1985. He served as a Supreme Governor and was a delegate in annual Ahepa National Conventions. In 2012, Alex was an honored recipient of the District 20 Ahepa Periclean Award.

In 2003, Alex was President of the Pan Arcadian Federation of America and was re-elected in 2004 at which time the Worldwide Arcadian Convention was held in Tripolis, Greece. He was a past District Governor of the Western District of the Pan Arcadian Federation. He chaired many Pan Arcadian Conventions and was honored at a convention in Richmond, Virginia.

Alex served as President of the Parish Council at St. Spyridon Church, and in 1977, he served as Chairman of the 50th Anniversary of the Parish. He was a founding member of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church at Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California. He served as a Board member of the Patriarch Athenagoras Institute and was honored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

During the years 1960-1975, Alex was the owner and announcer of The Greek Radio Program of Southern California. Alex was a founding Chairman of the Save Cyprus Committee which was the predecessor to the American Hellenic Council headquartered in Los Angeles. Alex, along with other Greek leaders, visited the White House at the invitation of President Jimmy Carter to discuss the Cyprus issue following the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island. In 2005, the American Hellenic Council honored him with the Saloutos Award at their annual Gala. He was a member of the Friends of Classics at San Diego State University and the Hellenic Cultural Society of San Diego, which honored him with the Alexander the Great medallion. The National Herald devoted an article to Alex and Jeanette, titled: Two Worthy Ambassadors of Hellenism in San Diego.

The Order of Ahepa with the Pan Arcadians and the San Diego community at large honored Alex with a Testimonial Dinner where many acknowledgments of his service were made by local and state dignitaries. The Mayor, Maureen O’Connor, declared May 6, 1980: Alex Rigopoulos Day in San Diego.

Reflecting on his satisfying life of family and support for Hellenic causes through his involvement in all the above-mentioned organizations, Alex stated: “I recognize that all of these accomplishments were in concert with the participation, love, and support of my wife, Jeanette, an unbelievable partner in my life.”

Alex is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jeanette, daughter Madelynn (Mary) and sons James (Demetra) and Paul (Gina), and grandchildren Alexi, Christiana and Emilia.

Trisagion at 6 pm on Sunday, November 3, 2024, and Funeral at 11 am on Monday, November 4, 2024, with both services to be held at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 3459 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff, CA 92007. Following the funeral will be a Makaria (mercy meal) in Pappas Hall, followed by interment 3 pm at El Camino Memorial-Sorrento Valley & Memorial Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Rd., San Diego, CA 92121.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in memory of Alex Rigopoulos to Ahepa Chapter 505, c/o Peter Fellios, 2652 Alta Vista Dr., Fallbrook, CA 92028, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 3459 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff, CA 92007, or Pan Arcadian Tegea Chapter, c/o Sam Tzathas, 5901 Lamond Dr., San Diego, CA 92120