Gus Hanges

GUS "KOSTA" HANGESAge 84, a resident of Albuquerque, passed peacefully Monday evening, July 2, 2012 surrounded by the love of his family. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sia: daughter, Thoula H. Mallory and husband, Gary of Albuquerque, NM: son, Bill Hanges of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren, Maria, Paul, Anna; and many other family and friends including his brother, George Hantzopoulos and wife, Doris. Mr. Hanges was preceded in death by his parents, Vasilios and Agathi Hantzopoulos; and his sister, Athanasia. Kosta was born in Ano Hora, Greece on April 10, 1928 and immigrated to the U.S. in 1956. He proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1961and always maintained a strong love for both countries. He left his village as a young teen and went to work on a farm in Messolonghi. There he learned the craft of beekeeping. Later, he joined the Greek army and fought in the civil war conflict. At the end of that duty, he studied at the Police Academy and served on the islands of Rhodes and then Kastellorizo. It was there that he met his true love, Sia. They immigrated to the U.S. where they began a new life. He worked in several restaurants as a dishwasher and a cook until he opened his own restaurant which was the Franciscan Café in Grants, NM on Route 66. Central to his life was his church; St. George Greek Orthodox Church; he commuted regularly to Albuquerque to attend what was then the only Greek Orthodox church in the state. He was also a member of AHEPA for 50 years. Upon retiring, he moved to Albuquerque. He grew magnificent gardens and always shared the abundance with friends and neighbors. Kosta had the gift of story-telling and his life story in the "stuff" of great movies. We will always keep these beautiful stories close to our hearts. When we dance the Greek "tsamiko" it will be in remembrance of you, our beloved father, husband, and Papou. A Trisagion will be 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 6, 2012 at French - Lomas Chapel. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2012 at St. George Greek Orthodox, 308 High St SE, Albuquerque, NM. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Friends may visit Friday, July 6, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at French Lomas. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St George Greek Orthodox Church Memorial Fund, 308 High St SE, Albuquerque, NM. Please visit our online guestbook for Gus at .