Jonh Malaspinas: “In memory of my father Jerry Malas”

My father Jerry Malas

Born March 13 1935 on the island kefaloniaa Greece to Panagiotis and speridula Malaspinas

He grew up in the hardest period in Greek history- the years of the Second World War and its aftermath. Life then was harsh. Food was scarce,opportunities were few and survival depended on family working together.

Time passed and Greek government offered young men a chance to emigrate.in 1955 with very little money but a great deal of courage, my father went to Piraeus,the port of Athens and sign up to leave Greece.He was told the journey would not be simple. From Greece,he traveled to Genoa Italy, where he stayed near the port for two weeks with many other immigrants, all waiting for ocean liner that would carry them across the Atlantic. When the ship finally arrived

And he boarded, something unexpected happened – For reasons he never fully explained,he was placed in first class. It was a small moment of comfort at the beginning of very uncertain journey.

His destination was Buenos Aires , Argentina

There,my father found himself alone in strange country,far from his immediate family,with very little money.the first thing he did-and this says a lot about who he was -was to look for a Greek Orthodox Church. He believed that within the church he would find guidance,community,and a way forward through the community, he found work. He worked hard during those years,as he always did.eventually he, moved on to Chile first to Santiago then later to Valparaiso,continuing to work and build a life step by step.from there,he moved to Brazil, settling in Rio de Janeiro. It was there that his life began to change again.

In Brazil, my father worked in shipping. He opened his own shipping office,suppling vessels with produce and necessities,and he traveled often.somewhere in those years he met my mother who had also come to Brazil with her older sister.they met fell in love and, and were married in 1957 they started a family my sister was first the me. My father was always looking forward. 1968 after hearing from friends that there was better opportunities in United States, my father made another difficult decision.he left Brazil alone to come to New York, leaving my mother my sister and me behind for one year so he could work,save,and prepare a future for us

That was the kind of sacrifice he made -quietly,without complaint.in 1970,our family was reunited in New York. My father’s life was

Not easy,but meaningful. He crossed oceans,survived war, poverty, loneliness, built businesses,raised a family,and never forgot who he was or where he came from. He carried Greece in his heart, faith in his actions,

Determination in everything he did.

Today,we don’t just mourn his passing -we Honor his journey. May his memory be eternal

Love you pops.