Steve Sargetakis, 82
June 9, 2005
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Steve Joseph Sargetakis, a founder of Silver State Inc., a fabric wholesaler here, died May 9th, 2005 at the age of 82.
"Dad was stricken by a stroke five years ago and was never able to fully recover from it, his son Ted explained. Ted and his two brothers Manoli and John, who are partners in Silver State with their mother, Kaliope 'Kal,' president, heard of their father's demise during the Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. They had to make a hurried exit home to prepare for their father's funeral service on Saturday, May 14 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Salt Lake City.
Steve was born Dec. 4, 1922 in the coal mining camps of Castle Gate, UT, one of five children, to Joseph T. Sargetakis and Despina Vasilakis Sargetakis, Greek immigrants. With the early loss of his father in the coal mines in 1924, Steve was raised by his widowed mother and taught many values by his uncle Mike. Steve sold newspapers at a young age to help the family income during the Great Depression. He Graduated from West High School in 1940 and joined the Merchant Marines in 1942 until 1948, serving during World War II, sailing around the world over three times. Steve was the youngest of three brothers, Theodore, John and Mike, also deceased, who together founded Silver State Inc., in 1952, as a regional wholesaler of automotive upholstery fabrics and supplies.
Steve married Kaliope Katsanevas on May 19, 1957. Kaliope, known as 'Kal' to her friends, is president of Silver State and runs the business along with her sons Ted, Manoli and John. In addition to his three sons, Steve is also survived by seven grandchildren; a sister, Helen Lujan of Redondo Beach, CA and many nieces, nephews and godchildren.
Today, Silver State is an important wholesaler of upholstery. Two years ago, the company established a new brand of upholstery, a high end collection called 'Alaxi.' Today, Silver State employees 25 people fulltime with 30 independent sales representatives.
According to his son Ted, his father's greatest accomplishment was the life he led despite the hardships he faced. "My dad and uncles were hardworking people who believed in the American system. They were fair and offered service to their customers." Always a friend to the ''little guy'' he never forgot his humble beginning. He enjoyed time spent with family members, especially his children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews. His great fondness for people was heavily seasoned with his wry sense of humor.
He was an active member of the Greek Orthodox Church and very proud of his Cretan Heritage. He was a member of the Minos Chapter/Pan Cretan Association One of his fondest accomplishments was being a founding trustee of the Hellenic Cultural Assoc/Museum.
The Sargetakis family asks that in lieu of flowers, please send contributions to: Holy Trinity Cathedral Restoration Fund, 279 S. 300 W. Salt Lake City, Utah 84101.
(Parts of this story were produced with background material provided by (c) 2005 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.)
"Dad was stricken by a stroke five years ago and was never able to fully recover from it, his son Ted explained. Ted and his two brothers Manoli and John, who are partners in Silver State with their mother, Kaliope 'Kal,' president, heard of their father's demise during the Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. They had to make a hurried exit home to prepare for their father's funeral service on Saturday, May 14 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Salt Lake City.
Steve was born Dec. 4, 1922 in the coal mining camps of Castle Gate, UT, one of five children, to Joseph T. Sargetakis and Despina Vasilakis Sargetakis, Greek immigrants. With the early loss of his father in the coal mines in 1924, Steve was raised by his widowed mother and taught many values by his uncle Mike. Steve sold newspapers at a young age to help the family income during the Great Depression. He Graduated from West High School in 1940 and joined the Merchant Marines in 1942 until 1948, serving during World War II, sailing around the world over three times. Steve was the youngest of three brothers, Theodore, John and Mike, also deceased, who together founded Silver State Inc., in 1952, as a regional wholesaler of automotive upholstery fabrics and supplies.
Steve married Kaliope Katsanevas on May 19, 1957. Kaliope, known as 'Kal' to her friends, is president of Silver State and runs the business along with her sons Ted, Manoli and John. In addition to his three sons, Steve is also survived by seven grandchildren; a sister, Helen Lujan of Redondo Beach, CA and many nieces, nephews and godchildren.
Today, Silver State is an important wholesaler of upholstery. Two years ago, the company established a new brand of upholstery, a high end collection called 'Alaxi.' Today, Silver State employees 25 people fulltime with 30 independent sales representatives.
According to his son Ted, his father's greatest accomplishment was the life he led despite the hardships he faced. "My dad and uncles were hardworking people who believed in the American system. They were fair and offered service to their customers." Always a friend to the ''little guy'' he never forgot his humble beginning. He enjoyed time spent with family members, especially his children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews. His great fondness for people was heavily seasoned with his wry sense of humor.
He was an active member of the Greek Orthodox Church and very proud of his Cretan Heritage. He was a member of the Minos Chapter/Pan Cretan Association One of his fondest accomplishments was being a founding trustee of the Hellenic Cultural Assoc/Museum.
The Sargetakis family asks that in lieu of flowers, please send contributions to: Holy Trinity Cathedral Restoration Fund, 279 S. 300 W. Salt Lake City, Utah 84101.
(Parts of this story were produced with background material provided by (c) 2005 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.)