Andrew George Pappas

Andrew G. Pappas of San Gabriel passed away peacefully at home on January 22, 2013 at the age of 96.

Andy was the second of five sons born to George and Katina Pappas of Alhambra, California. Delivered by a midwife in the family home on Elm Street in Alhambra, California on October 18, 1916. Andy grew up in Alhambra, graduating from Alhambra High School in 1935. He spent his early years working as an inspector in a machine shop and flying Bi-Planes in the late 1930's over the San Gabriel Valley with his brother Louie.

In 1943, Andy and his three surviving brothers, Louie, Peter and Tom, joined various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Andy and Peter joined the Army, Louie was a pilot with the Marine Corp and Tom joined the Coast Guard. After landing in North Africa in 1943 towards the end of the African Campaign, Andy's first assignment was as a replacement with an anti aircraft unit. A short time later, Andy was reassigned to an infantry unit and entered Sicily where he participated in the Rome Arno Campaign. As his unit moved up the West Coast of Italy, Andy loved to relate that he experienced the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in March 1944 and that he hitchhiked a ride in Gen. Patton's jeep. After entering Paris in the Summer of 1944, Andy's unit fought in the Rhineland Campaign and the Central Europe Campaign. By early May 1945, Andy had already joined the 203D Military Police Company, investigating black market activity.

Andy returned to Alhambra in December 1945 and went to work for Southern California Edison Company a year or so later. During his 38 years in the Transmission/Construction Division of SCE, Andy worked on crews who constructed the power lines emanating from Central California, bringing electricity to the Southland.

A confirmed bachelor, Andy was active in a number of organizations including the Alhambra Y's Men's Club. That changed when he met and married Sophia Pantaz-Stamatakos in May 1954 at the then recently constructed St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles.

After retiring from Southern California Edison in 1984, Andy and Sophia continued to travel the world for many years making countless new friends along the way, and spending time with their cousins and friends in Greece.

Andy is survived by Sophia, his wife of 58 years, sons Greg of Coeur d'Alene Idaho and Lou (Jill) of Arcadia. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Michelle (Lewiston, Idaho), Alex (Sidney Australia), Nick (Pasadena, CA), Joe (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho), Tim (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho), and Mike (Arcadia, CA).

Funeral services will be held at Forest Lawn, Covina Hills, on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.