Anthony Panagakos

PANAGAKOS- Anthony Panagakos, 83, a resident of Albuquerque, NM passed away on November 18, 2008 after a long illness. Mr. Panagakos was born on May 11, 1925, in Newark N.J., to Greek immigrants Pierros and Irene (Tsotakos) Panagakos . After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Mr. Panagakos earned a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering from Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute and completed graduate work at Columbia University in New York City. Recalled by the Navy during the Korean War, he was sent to Guam where he married his beloved wife, Marilyn, whom he had met earlier in Cleveland, OH. After his service and while employed by Curtiss Wright Aviation, he moved his family in the late 1950's to Holland, where they lived for two years. In 1961, Mr. Panagakos and his family settled in Albuquerque where he managed the local Gulton Industries plant. He later employed his entrepreneurial skills and co-founded the Denes Co. and established Clean Inc. In the late 1960's he represented District 37 in Bernalillo as a New Mexico state senator. Mr. Panagakos lived in Washington, D.C., for a short while, serving in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He later served for many years as district director in Albuquerque for the Small Business Administration. Along with his immense generosity, he will be remembered for his love of woodworking, especially the many clocks he fashioned. He also served as a judge at New Mexico State Fair wood working exhibits and was a member of Albuquerque Woodworkers Association. He shared his woodworking skills with his son-in-law and together they built numerous pieces of Arts and Crafts furniture. Mr. Panagakos was a member of St George Greek Orthodox Church and was fluent in the Greek language. Mr. Panagakos loved all kinds of music, especially Big Band, swing, classical and traditional jazz. He loved to cook and enjoyed putting his own twist on recipes. Mr. Panagakos had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and was a voracious reader. In his later years, he thoroughly enjoyed his time he spent with discussion group members at Highland Senior Center. Mr. Panagakos was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn Panagakos, in 1998. He is survived by his son, Peter Panagakos, and daughter, Koren and her husband, Kenneth Walston, all of Albuquerque; and grandchildren, Brandon and Lindsay Panagakos. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 1100 Coal Ave SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 (505) 842-8800