Stephen Panteli Stavrianoudakis
January 22, 1932 - May 21, 2011
Stephen Panteli Stavrianoudakis fell asleep peacefully in the Lord on May 21 at 12:25 pm. His wife, Darleen and children, Peter, Stephanie, Ted and Bill with his wife Stacey, were at his side comforting him and each other. He was able to receive Holy Communion and say his goodbyes to his brother Pete, and sisters Angie, Bessie and Olympia, before saying hello to his siblings in Heaven: Stratis, Katina, Annie and Steve.
He was born to Greek immigrant parents, Panteli and Maria, on January 22, 1932 in Hilmar. Growing up, he acquired a love of baseball that lasted a lifetime. After setting strike-out records as a pitcher at Hilmar High, the Yankees offered him a contract. As his sisters translated the clause allowing the Yankees to sell or trade him, his father tore up the contract stating, "No one sells my son."
He served his country in the Army doing what he loved most, pitching fast balls. He eventually signed with Yankees franchise after setting records for the College of the Sequoias and going pro in the Canadian Baseball League. He returned to Hilmar where he and Darleen raised their family and were often visited by their grandchildren. Bill blessed them with Shaynie, Jeremy and JJ. Their son Ted and his wife, Tamara, with Athena and Alex.
Stephen was a farmer, a dairyman and ditch-tender for TID. He was a Mason and a charter member of the Hilmar-Stevenson Lions Club and holder of their highest honor, the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. He was an avid supporter of the Hilmar Yellowjackets. It would have pleased him to receive donations to Hilmar Baseball Boosters, 7807 Lander Ave. Hilmar, CA 95324, in lieu of flowers.
Visitation will be held today from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. followed by a Trisagion Service at 7 p.m. at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock.
A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 313 Tokay Ave, Modesto.
Burial will be held at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, May 27. San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hilmar Baseball Boosters, 7807 Lander Ave. Hilmar, CA 95324.
Turlock Memorial Park is handling arrangements.