Steve E. Tzeiranakis
January 20, 1918 - August 12, 2014
Steve E. Tzeiranakis
"Papou"
Steve Emmanuel Tzeiranakis peacefully fell asleep in the Lord on August 12, 2014 at the age of 96. Steve was born January 20, 1918 to Emmanuel and Cristina Tzeiranakis in Crete, Greece.
As a young man Steve served in the Greek military during World War II. In 1943, he married his first love Amalia Vrondakis, a young girl from a neighboring village. They had five children, four of which were born in Greece: Maria, Steve Jr., Mary, and George. Steve was forced to flee his homeland without his family due to a communist uprising, and decided to immigrate to the United States. After arriving in Utah in 1951, Steve worked at Kennecott Copper and saved money to send for his family back in Greece. They reunited in 1955, made their home in West Jordan, and a few years later had their fifth child Klea.
In 1971, after 28 years of marriage, his first wife Amalia passed away. In 1974, he married Maria Gialedakis, with whom he happily spent the next thirty years until her passing. Steve worked for thirty years at Kennecott on the drill and blast team, retiring in 1981. In 1988 he became a U.S. citizen so he could participate in the presidential election. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, cooking, listening to traditional Cretan music, singing mandinades, and spending time with family and friends. Many enjoyed fresh koucha from his κήπος (garden) and delicious homemade mizithra cheese.
Steve is survived by son Steve Jr., daughter Klea (Gerard) Gallegos, eleven grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; eleven siblings; wife Amalia; wife Maria; children Maria (died in infancy), Mary, and George.
A viewing will be held on Friday, August 15th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, with the Trisagion at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 16th at Holy Trinity Church, 279 South 300 West. Interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Greek Orthodox Church.
May his memory be eternal.
In Loving Memory
Klea, Gerard and family...we were so sorry to hear of your father's passing. Even though he lived a full and long life, this is still going to be hard to let him go. It is good we have our great memories to sustain us. Please know our prayers are with you all and we apologize for not being able to make the viewing or funeral - we are leaving for Washington tomorrow, but we will be thinking of you with love and caring. Scott and Linda Lund
Scott and Linda Lund
Midvale, UT
Klea & family. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Papou is with you always. He is in your hearts and in your thoughts. Remember all the great years you had together. Cherish the memories to help you through the hard times. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. With much love, Robyn
Robyn Smith
Herriman, Ut
Klea and Family, I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family! Michelle Gonzales
Michelle Gonzales
Albuquerque, NM
My friend Steve led a full life full of joys and sorrows. I was lucky enough to have him share those with me as we visited out on his porch. He also shared the homemade soups and stews including the snails he caught and kept in a bucket with cornmeal in it. He was always ready with his brand of humor to get a laugh out of me. Many times I would visit him 5 to 6 times a week for many years. Like any real friendship, ours had it's ups and downs. We didn't always agree but he had a great love for people and life and we always ended on a good laugh. I loved him and cherish him memory.
Robert Cole
Riverton, Ut