Theofanis V. Economidis
August 14, 1936 – November 29, 2025
Theofanis V. Economidis fell asleep in the Lord on November 29, 2025 at the age of 89. Born on August 14, 1936 in Dessylla, Messenias, Greece, Fanis lived a life shaped by faith, discipline, and service to others. After graduating from the Greek Military Cadet Academy in 1958 and serving a decade as an artillery officer in the Greek Army, he immigrated to the United States where he excelled both academically and professionally. He earned degrees from UCLA and Stanford and became a respected leader in engineering and national security, contributing significantly to NASA programs and later serving as an executive at TRW Inc. His accomplishments reflected his sharp mind, unwavering work ethic, and devotion to excellence.
Fanis was a pillar of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco. For more than 35 years he served on the Metropolis Council, including 25 years as Vice President, offering unparalleled leadership, wisdom, and dedication. He also served as President of the Board of Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center where his vision and steady guidance helped strengthen this vital ministry. His service extended far beyond the Metropolis to the entire Church. A devoted Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, he served as Regional Commander of the Archons of the Metropolis of San Francisco and was a respected representative of the Mother Church on the international stage, including several years defending religious freedom at the annual OSCE meetings in Warsaw, Poland. His global service reflected his deep love for Orthodoxy and his commitment to the mission of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Fanis was equally influential in strengthening the Greek American community. He offered seventeen years of leadership as President of the Elios Society, played a founding role in establishing the National Hellenic Society, and served as Chairman of the Board of The Hellenic Journal, ensuring a strong cultural and media presence for Greek Americans in the western United States. His involvement in numerous organizations and initiatives furthered Hellenic
ideals, philanthropic outreach, and civic engagement. His dedicated leadership earned him widespread respect and numerous honors throughout the United States and abroad.
Reflecting on his passing, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos stated, “Fanis was a man of deep faith whose life was guided by humility, integrity, and quiet strength. He offered extraordinary service to Christ and His Church and did so with sincerity, grace, and unwavering devotion. His wisdom shaped our Metropolis, his leadership strengthened our institutions, and his kindness touched every person who had the blessing of knowing him. Although we mourn his loss, we give thanks to God for the profound legacy he leaves behind and for the example of Christian service he embodied.”
Fanis was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Cynthia (Efstathia), with whom he shared 46 years of marriage until her passing in 2014. He is survived by their devoted daughter, Roberta (Hariklia), whose loving care supported him in his later years. He will be remembered as a true gentleman who embodied faith, loyalty, and honor. His impact on the Church and the Greek American community will endure for generations.
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco will preside at the services:
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 1260 Davis Street, San Jose, CA
6:00 p.m. Visitation
7:00 p.m. Trisagion
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 1260 Davis Street, San Jose, CA.
11:00 a.m. Funeral
Makaria Meal Immediately Following
Friday, December 12, 2025
Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring, 38532 Dunlap Road, Dunlap, CA 93621
1:00 p.m. Trisagion and Interment
In lieu of flowers, the family requests your consideration of a donation to any of the following charities that were close to Fanis’ heart:
- Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, 245 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. (Faith Forward tribute gift in memory of Theofanis Economidis)
- Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund, 986 Chapman Street, San Jose, CA 95126.
- Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring, P.O. Box 549, Dunlap, CA 93621-0549.
May his memory be eternal!
Biography Of Theofanis V. Economidis
Theofanis Economidis was born in Dessylla, Messenias, Greece to Vasilios and Hariklia on August 14, 1936. He was raised with his three brothers – Constantinos, Dimitrios, and Panagiotis. They had a difficult childhood, with their father passing away when Fanis was just 6 ½ years old. But the family stayed together and through faith and hard work they persevered. Fanis graduated from the Greek Military Cadet Academy (Scholi Evelpidon) in 1958 and served as an artillery officer of the Greek Army until 1968. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1969 where he subsequently earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and pursued postgraduate studies at Stanford in Management Systems. He has lectured occasionally at Stanford and authored several publications in the computer field. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and past Chairman of the Computer Society of Northern California. From 1971 to 1982 Mr. Economidis served at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where he was a key contributor to the Space Shuttle and several other programs of national importance. In 1986 he joined TRW Inc. (now known as Northrop-Grumman) in Sunnyvale, California where he served as an executive specializing in national security electronic systems. He retired from TRW in 2001.
Fanis was an active member of the Greek American Community including: Past President of the United Hellenic Societies Federation of Northern California; Founding member and Chairman of the Board of the Elios Society since its inception for sixteen years; President of the Board of Hellenic Journal, the only Greek American newspaper west of Chicago; Member of the Metropolis Council of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco for over 35 years where served as Vice President from 1996 – 2022; and Member of the Board and Managing Director of Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA.
In 1996, he was bestowed the title of Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He is a member of Leadership 100, member of the Executive Committee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Regional Commander of the Archons of the Metropolis of San Francisco, and since 2006 he is also a member of the National Council of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. In November of 2006 with the blessing of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, he served as one of the two main ushers during the visit of Pope Benedict XVI at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey. In December of 2006 he was elected to serve as the General Chairman of the International Convention of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) in Thessaloniki, Greece and in the same year he received the highest honor by the Organization of the Retired Greek Artillery General Officers in Athens, Greece. From 2008 – 2013, he was assigned by the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle to represent the Ecumenical Patriarchate and defend its Religious and Human Rights at the annual meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) comprised of 54 European nations, the US, Canada and 15 other nations around the world in Warsaw, Poland. In November of 2009 he presented the problems facing the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the annual meeting of the European Parliament in Venice, Italy.
Fanis was the recipient of numerous citations and awards for church and community contributions including: the Cross of Axum (Patriarchate of Ethiopia) for leading the effort to raise funds (over $75,000) and personally delivering this aid to the starving people of Ethiopia in 1985 and for arranging, during the famine, the delivery of 4,500 metric tons of food supplies to the Church of Ethiopia; the Pope Paul VI and Metropolitan Meliton Medallion for his efforts to promote and protect the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to function as a free institution; two citations by the Senate of the State of California for his exemplary record of civic leadership; and many distinctions from local and national Greek American organizations for his philanthropic accomplishments and commitment to Hellenic ideals including the AXION Award from the Hellenic American Professional Society in 1985. He is the 1999 recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award and has also been featured in Public Broadcasting Corporations’ (PBS) 1999 documentary “The Greek Americans II, Passing the Torch”.
In March 2013, he was honored with the inaugural Theofanis Economidis Award by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco for his extraordinary leadership. This award was presented at a Gala event attended by over 500 people including Governor Jerry Brown, Congresswoman and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. The Theofanis Economidis Award subsequently has been presented at biennial events of the Metropolis of San Francisco to distinguished individuals in honor of their leadership, inspirational vision, hard work, and humble service to Jesus Christ and His Holy Church.
In July 2015, the Order of AHEPA held its Supreme Convention in San Francisco. At the Grand Banquet and in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America, AHEPA bestowed upon Fanis the Aristotle Award for his leadership and work for the preservation of our faith and perpetuation of Hellenism.
In 1968 Fanis married Cynthia (Efstathia) Bagles from Sheboygan, Wisconsin and they enjoyed 46 years of marriage until her passing in 2014. Cynthia had a prestigious 34-year tenure of service at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee where she was a professor in The Helen Bader School of Social Welfare. They have one daughter, Roberta (Hariklia), who is a prominent attorney in San Francisco. Fanis is also survived by his brother, Panagiotis, who resides in Greece, along with many other relatives both in the United States and abroad, all of whom deeply mourn his passing. After a diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease, Fanis’ health gradually declined. He was blessed with the attentive and loving care of Roberta along with caregivers Malia and Pele who offered unconditional love and comfort to Fanis until his final breath.
May his memory be eternal!