Arthur Theodore Trapalis

Arthur Trapalis On October 5, 2021 Arthur Trapalis passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Arthur "Tom" Trapalis was born on October 1, 1934 in Kalavrita, Greece. He was the oldest son of Theodore and Maria Trapalis. He had one older sister and three younger brothers. At the young age of 17, Arthur left Greece and arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, where he had aunts, uncles and cousins from his father's side. He went to work at a local drugstore, sending money to his parents and younger siblings in war-torn Greece to support the family. At the age of 18, he joined the U.S. Army and was sent to Fort Jackson, South Carolina to complete basic training. Upon completion of basic training, he shipped overseas to Germany, during the Korean War, of which he later became a veteran. Following his return to the U.S., he was stationed at Ft. Ord in Monterey, California. He decided to set his roots in San Francisco, which had a large Greek immigrant population. He was active in the Greek Orthodox Church choir and dance groups. He eventually made his way to Marin County, and then took a job at the Commissary at Hamilton Air Force Base. In 1962, he returned to Greece, and married Niovi Sagiadinos, and the two settled in Novato, California. Soon afterwards, in 1963, daughter Maria was born, followed by a second daughter, Vicki, in 1966. By this time, Arthur had transferred to Presidio of San Francisco Army Base, where he worked at the Commissary store. In 1970, Arthur had an opportunity to take a five-year assignment in Kaiserslautern, Germany, the largest Army base in Western Europe at the time. Here he was promoted to Commissary Manager. Following this overseas stint, the family returned to their Novato home in 1975. In 1978, another overseas transfer took Arthur and family to Hellenikon Air Force Base in Athens, Greece. Here the family connected with their Greek relatives and enjoyed the culture of their homeland. In 1979, Arthur moved to the Bay Area, this time to Oakland Army Base as Commissary Deputy Officer. Ultimately, he took a post back at Presidio as Commissary Officer until his retirement in 1989 after 35 years of service with the federal government. Arthur was a family man who put his family's needs above his own. He put his daughters Maria and Vicki through college, and then put Vicki through graduate school and law school. He put his younger brother Andreas through medical school. He even established a college fund for granddaughter Nicole, who became the apple of his eye. Arthur enjoyed making others laugh, entertaining friends with his storytelling, cooking for large gatherings, singing Greek songs, and offering others advice. As a father and grandfather, Arthur was protective, stern, supportive, encouraging, generous and loving. Arthur's greatest treasure was his granddaughter, Nicole. Arthur will be intensely missed, but his family takes solace in knowing that he is now resting with the angels. Arthur leaves behind his loving wife of 59 years, Niovi, his daughters Maria and Vicki, and granddaughter Nicole. The family's deepest appreciation goes out to the doctors, nurses, and other staff at the VA Medical Center in San Francisco, who cared for Arthur in the last year of his life. Memorial services will be private at the request of the family. Arthur will be laid to rest at the Military Cemetery in Dixon, California.