[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF THE 60TH DIAMOND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF PANTELIS AND 
                            DESPINA MARANGOS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 1999

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Pantelis and Despina Marangos as they celebrate their 60th Diamond 
Wedding Anniversary. They celebrated their joyous occasion on Sunday, 
November 8, 1998.
  Pantelis, born in Kalavasos, Cyprus, the son of Mary and John 
Shakalisk, was known as ``Peter the Carpenters' son,'' thus the name 
Marangos. Despina was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the daughter of 
Zaharias Kyriacou from Cyprus and Chrisanthy Protoulis from Greece.
  At the age of 18, Pantelis arrived at Ellis Island at the height of 
the Great Depression with five dollars in his pocket. But he soon found 
work and within a few years as a skilled pastry chef. Despina came to 
New York as a child and attended P.S. 116 and Julia Richmond High 
School. During the Depression, she worked in the Garment District with 
her mother.
  In 1938, Pantelis and Despina met, fell in love and married. In 1943, 
their first child, Mary Anna, was born, Their son, John Zaharias, was 
born in 1950.
  During World War II, Pantelis served in the Navy as a Petty Officer 
on a mine sweeper and took part in the invasion of Anzio and St. Tropez 
while Despina served on the Home Front, working in defense plants.
  Despina, who had the responsibility of caring for her parents in 
addition to her own family, found time to be a Den Mother and an 
Officer in both the Parents' Association and the Women's Auxiliary.
  After his discharge from the Navy, Pantelis returned to the 
restaurant business where he was a manager, chef and proprietor of 
Michael's Restaurant until his retirement in 1975.
  Despina worked at Macy's Department store during the 1959 Christmas 
season and retired after 30 years of dedicated service in 1989.
  In 1966, Pantelis suffered a stroke and once again demonstrated the 
courage and bravery he showed when coming to this country alone. In the 
past two years he has become a living symbol for the handicapped.
  The doctors told Despina that he would never function, yet today he 
is proving them wrong with a combination of therapies. The Chian 
Federation honored his courage in 1998. Despina and other Hellenic 
immigrants were also recognized at a ceremony on Ellis Island.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to bring to your attention this important 
milestone in the life of a remarkable couple. It is an honor to have 
them in my district.

                          ____________________