Irene Rita Cantos
August 25, 1922 - December 12, 2022
SAN DIEGO — Irene Rita Cantos was born 8/25/1922, the third of five children. Her parents were Evangelos (Angelo) Trifiatis and Melpomeni Phlementomou Trifiatis, immigrants from Koroni, Greece.
Born in New York City and raised in Bridgeport CN, her vocal talents led her to be discovered while a student at Central High School, and she received a full music scholarship to Memphis College of Music (today known as Rhodes College), graduating in 1944.
After WWII, Irene moved to Los Angeles with her sister Esther, where she worked as a welder for North American Aviation in a ‘Rosie the Riveter’ job while performing as a singer. She married Earl Cantos Jan. 26, 1947 after an 11-week courtship. They were married 65 years until Earl’s death in 2012.
Opera, operetta, and musical theater were always a major part of Irene’s life. From 1947 to 1957 she was a featured member of Starlight Opera, a well-known and beloved San Diego theatre company. She played the lead in Rio Rita, Rose Marie, and her favorite role, Kate, in Kiss Me Kate. She sang on TV and radio throughout So. California, including a command performance for the King and Queen of Greece. In subsequent years, she gave recitals and performances as a soloist and with her family, singing into her mid-90s.
Irene earned her real estate broker’s license and founded Cantos Realty, a Kensington mainstay through the 70s and 80s. At one point, Cantos Realty was the largest independent realty in SD County, and she appeared on the cover of Working Woman’s Monthly in 1978.
She was greatly involved with the Greek Orthodox
Church and community. Irene served as the 1st woman president of the Parish Council at St Spyridon’s and was a founding member of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, and sang in their church choirs for years. Her Christian faith was foundational to her.
She loved people, loved a house full of people, and never lost her endearing smile. Countless people were touched by her graciousness and warmth, and considered her a second mom. Irene is survived by her four children: Rita Cantos Cartwright (husband Robert), Rev. Earl Cantos (Presvytera Carol), Roxanne Fulkerson (husband Jeff ), and Bill Cantos (wife Mari), five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral to be held on Thursday, December 22, 2022 at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, 3655 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA. 10:00 am - Trisagion; 10:30 am - Funeral Service; 12 noon - Makaria (Mercy Meal)/Reception and program; 2:00 pm - Burial at Greenwood Cemetery, 4300 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA.
Donations in lieu of flowers: Orthodox Mission Church of Arizona, located at 10010 E Harvest Road, Florence AZ 85132. OR Donations by Zelle: Orthodox Mission Church Orthodox.Mission. Church@gmail.com