LA MESA, CA –
The extended family of Saints Constantine and Helen parish in Cardiff by the Sea, California is mourning the loss of one of its founding members and a vital part of their community, Alex Rigopoulos, on October 26 at the age of 95.
Alex Rigopoulos was born in Mavriki Tegeas, in Arcadia, Greece in 1929. After finishing high school in Tegea, he was accepted at the University of Athens in the School of Business and Economics. Upon arriving in the USA, late 1951, he completed his undergraduate degree at San Diego State University with a BA in Economics. He continued with graduate work at UCLA. While a student at SDSU he met his beloved wife, Jeanette, the daughter of the late Professor and Mrs. James E. Crouch.
In 1957, he founded Global Insurance Agency in San Diego, a successful enterprise in which he partnered with his son James for 17 years. He helped many people to find new opportunities for business and always supported students from Greece who came to study in San Diego just like he had done. He obtained his notary public license which enabled him to help many Greek immigrants in the community.
He took pride in sending his wife with the kids to spend summers in his village, Mavriki. All have learned Greek and immersed themselves in the culture and traditions of his roots. He took special pride in Jeanette’s interest in “All Things Greek” and her activism in Greek service organizations. True to his agrarian roots, he also enjoyed the title “Gentleman Farmer” at the family’s C & R Ranch in Fallbrook, purchased with his father-in-law, growing avocados, citrus, and everything else under the sun.
His service and volunteer efforts involved a dedication to AHEPA, the Pan Arcadian Federation of America, the Greek Orthodox Church, advocacy for preserving the Greek culture, and the liberation of Cyprus from Turkish occupation. He was a charter member of the George Polos Chapter of AHEPA (North San Diego County) established in 1985. He served as a Supreme Governor and was a delegate in annual AHEPA National Conventions. In 2012, he was an honored recipient of the AHEPA District 20 Periclean Award.
In 2002 he was elected President of the Pan Arcadian Federation of America and was re-elected in 2004 at which time the Worldwide Arcadian Convention was held in Tripolis, Greece. He was a past Western District Governor of the PFA, he chaired many Conventions and was honored at a Convention in Richmond, Virginia.
Alex Rigopoulos served as Parish Council President of St. Spyridon Church in San Diego, and in 1977, he was the Chairman of its 50th Anniversary celebration. He was a founding member of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church at Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California. He served as a Board member of the Patriarch Athenagoras Institute and was honored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
During the years 1960-1975, Alex was the owner and announcer of The Greek Radio Program of Southern California. He was also a founding Chairman of the Save Cyprus Committee which was the predecessor to the American Hellenic Council headquartered in Los Angeles. Along with other Greek leaders, he visited the White House at the invitation of President Jimmy Carter to discuss the Cyprus issue following the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island. In 2005, the American Hellenic Council honored him with the Saloutos Award at their annual Gala. He was a member of the Friends of Classics at San Diego State University and the Hellenic Cultural Society of San Diego, which honored him with the Alexander the Great medallion.
The Order of AHEPA with the Pan Arcadians and the San Diego community at large honored Alex with a Testimonial Dinner where many acknowledgments of his service were made by local and state dignitaries. The Mayor, Maureen O’Connor, declared May 6, 1980: Alex Rigopoulos Day in San Diego.
Reflecting on his satisfying life of family and support for Hellenic causes through his involvement in all the above-mentioned organizations, Alex stated: “I recognize that all of these accomplishments were in concert with the participation, love, and support of my wife, Jeanette, an unbelievable partner in my life.”
Alex is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jeanette, daughter Madelynn (Mary) and sons James (Demetra) and Paul (Gina), and grandchildren Alexi, Christiana and Emilia.
Funeral services were held on November 4 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cardiff by the Sea, CA.
