Aris Zavitsanos was born Velesarios Zavitsanos in the village of Spartohori, Lefkas, Greece on August 15, 1918, youngest of seven children. At the age of 19, he began his lifelong career as an educator by teaching in a one room school house consisting of 40 students of varied ages and grade levels. To this day, he is known as "the Teacher." During World War II, he was imprisoned by the Italian army fro two years. He eventually escaped and fled to mountain areas of Greece, where he fought for the liberation of the country of his birth. His exploits during the war became the subject of a book entitled "The Vindication," soon to be translated into English. Encouraged by this brother and mentor Mitsos Zavitsanos, Aris came to the United States in 1946 as a student. In 1948, he lived with his uncle and sponsor Steve Argyres while attending the University of San Francisco, where he pursued a degree in Education. The following years, he became an instructor of Greek Language with the Defense Language Institute in Monterey. During this time, he met Anne Costakis. Aris knew immediately that Anne was the woman for him. They married in 1950 and had two sons, George and Anthony. During his tenure with the Defense Language Institute, Aris received his master's degree in Political Science from the Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies. He was nominated president of the National Federation of Federal Employees teachers union which boasted over 50o members. Aris was ultimately promoted to the position of chairman of the Greek Department, which he held until his retirement 1985. Aris was the catalyst of countless entrepreneurships, political campaigns, and Greek Church endeavors. he co-owned several local area businesses including the Windmill Drive Inn in Watsonville, 24 Hour Steak House, and Lefkas Inc. He also co-owned the Village Corner restaurant in Carmel, which he often used as a political forum for his favorite candidates. Aris also owned the Cannery Row Surf Shop, which he started up for his sons, allowing them pursue their love of surfing while simultaneously learning about business. He was one of the founding fathers of Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Salinas where he served on multiple occasions as both as President and as a Council member. He was instrumental in the creation, evolution and success of the Greek School. Aris was defined by his passion for learning and helping others. Anyone who needed a helping hand or a place to be on a holiday was welcome at the home of Aris and Anne Zavitsanos. His charity and desire to help reaped countless friendships and inspired him to create in 2003, at the age of 85, the Hellenic Cultural Institute. The HCI is a nonprofit group that meets with the goal of providing opportunities to learn by donating scholarships to student. In 2005, they were able to reward scholarships to five high school graduates in of Monterey and Santa Cruz areas. From humble beginnings, the Institute has grown to 195 members and continues to increase. Aris Zavitsanos died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday 27 at the age of 87, at the home he built and reside in for the last 45 years with Anne, his loving wife of 55 years at his side.

For details on the Aris Zavitsanos Scholarship Fund please click here.

Bio coming soon.