Dr. Vaios Nicholas Athanasiou

Vaios Nicholas Athanasiou, born on March 1st, 1933, in the humble village of Nea Makresi, Greece, lived a life that was as vibrant and determined as the land that nurtured him. The son of Nicholas and Styliani Athanasiou, he was the fifth of six children (Kostas, Demetra, Ioannis, Demetrios, Vassiliki – all deceased) that knew both the joys and the hardships of rural Greek life.

From a young age, he was drawn to the world of knowledge, a passion that would take him far beyond the borders of his homeland. He earned his degree in Forestry from the University of Thessaloniki, but that was just the beginning. His journey took him to the University of Perugia in Italy, where he became a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, and then across the Atlantic to Colorado State University, where he completed his Master's and PhD. His was a mind that never rested, always seeking, always learning. Vaios was not just a scholar; he was a man of action, a man of service. He served with honor as an officer in the Greek military, rising to the rank of Captain.

If there was one thing that defined Vaios more than anything else, it was his love—for his family, for his faith, for the countries he called home. On August 24th, 1966, he married Magda (Madeleine), the love of his life and partner in all things. Together, they built a family, raising their children—Presvytera Stella (Rev. Father Vasileios), Nickolas (Heather), and Zephie (John)—with the same values that had been instilled in them: hard work, integrity, and a deep, abiding faith.

That faith was the cornerstone of their lives. Vaios was a proud Archon of the Greek Orthodox Church, and for nearly 50 years, he served as a church chanter, his voice lifting hymns to the heavens. His devotion was evident in the way he lived his life, in the way he served his church and the values he and Magda instilled in their family. He believed in the power of faith and in the strength of tradition. He loved fiercely, and continually charged his family to do the same. He realized his greatest legacy was within the family gathered around him.

In 1973, he and Magda made a bold decision, one that would change the course of their lives: they emigrated to the United States. In the sprawling beauty of Colorado, they found a new home, a new community, and a new purpose. For 23 years, they founded and operated Wadsworth Animal Hospital in Lakewood, where he practiced his craft with the same dedication and precision that had defined every aspect of his life. They worked together tirelessly to build the practice and raise their family.

And yet, for all his love of Greece, Vaios also embraced his adopted country with the same fervor. He believed in the American ideal, in the promise of opportunity, in the dream that anyone, no matter where they come from, can build a better life. He was a patriot, through and through, a man who loved both his native and his adopted lands with equal passion.

A funeral service for Vaios will be held Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 414 St Stephens School Rd, Austin, TX 78746, with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund, in memoriam of Dr. Vaios N. Athanasiou, to support the mission of the parish that meant so much to him. Please send donations to Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 414 St. Stephens School Rd S, Austin, TX 78746.