Markos John Lagios
Markos J. Lagios passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully in Oakland, CA on January 11, 2021. He was born January 30, 1939 to John and Anthoula Lagios in Monastiraki (Fokida), Greece, a beautiful place that would forever live in his heart and a place to return to welcome family, friends, and celebrations throughout his life. A place to relax, the lure of the beach, magnificent views, and Agios Markos, the village church which holds a family story regarding his name, were just a few of his treasures there.
At age 18, following his high school graduation, Markos headed to Victoria, Canada where he joined his family and attended college. He would later work for the forestry service where he enjoyed camping for months at a time while measuring trees, among other responsibilities. He also worked in the restaurant business and mastered the art of welding.
In 1962, he came to the San Francisco Bay Area and settled in Oakland where the weather, his sister and her family as well as more job opportunities were available. His welding skills with iron landed him a union contract. Thanks to his expertise he would later be called upon to join with the team that welded the original wood bleachers to the concrete at the Oakland Coliseum. The Oakland Athletics later honored the welders’ history in ’88 when they won the World Series.
His career grew when he went to school for his contractor’s license in the mid-70s, then added a real estate license for more knowledge, and finally would start his own company, M&A Construction. He built and sold homes and eventually, as a sole proprietor, segued to real estate investing with an emphasis on multi-family homes.
Life was full but it was trip back to his village in Greece that would complete his world. There he met the love of his life, Athena, who was from Velvina, a charming village near his place of birth. They married in 1973 and he brought her home to Oakland where they created their family – son John was born in 1974 and Sophia in 1979. They were devoted parishioners at Ascension Cathedral, and active in their community. Markos served as Board Member on the parish council at Ascension Cathedral, he was a member of AHEPA, and Roumeli Society President and Board Member. His skills were instrumental in the launch of the first Oakland Greek Festival at the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center along with the festivals that followed, and he created and built risers/orchestra platforms for the choir Christmas concerts that have been a vital contribution for decades, to name just a few.
He loved his country, and he loved his homeland of Greece. In early 2000, he went back to his beloved Monastiraki and built his family dream home where Markos, Athena, and their extended family would enjoy many summers together. He loved spending time with his wife, his family, taking in views of the bay, watching his grandsons play sports, and getaways to Lake Tahoe. He was passionate about history, playing cards, Greek dancing, and sharing the love of his culture and religion with his grandchildren which instilled great pride and joy – the greatest gift of all. A man with few words, his quiet confidence spoke volumes, his smile and laugh were contagious. He will always be remembered and lead the Greek dance in our hearts forever.
Markos is survived by his beloved wife Athena of 47 years, son John (Alexis), daughter Sophia, grandchildren Markos, James, and Athena Lagios, sisters Niki Gemelas and Effie Kapantais, and sister-in-laws Koula (George) Kouvelis and Soula (Gerasimos) Markopoulos as well as many nieces and nephews in the San Francisco Bay Area, British Columbia, New Jersey, and Greece. He is predeceased by his sister Dimitra Victor and brother Peter Lagios. Due to Covid-19, private funeral services will be held at the Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Interment, Mt. View Cemetery, Oakland, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations in his memory be made to the Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 4700 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602. May his memory be eternal. For further information please call, Harry W. Greer, Funeral Director (FDR-745).