Memorial planned February 10 for Dr. Basil T. Papahronis, 1929-2025

Family and friends will gather next Monday (February 10) to remember Dr. Basil Papahronis, and they’re sharing this remembrance with the community:

In Loving Memory of Dr. Basil Trifon Papahronis
November 10, 1929 – February 1, 2025

Dr. Basil Trifon Papahronis was born on November 10, 1929, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the eldest of three children of Tryphon Basil Papahronis from Vlaherna, Arcadia, Greece, and Efrosine Papahronis from Riono, Greece. He grew up alongside his beloved brothers, Chris and Harris, cherishing his Greek heritage with deep pride.

Basil’s early years were shaped by humble beginnings. From a young age, he learned the value of hard work, helping in his father’s restaurant from elementary school through high school. At just 17, he graduated high school and pursued his passion for learning at the University of Oklahoma, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. His academic journey continued at the University of Kansas, where he completed his Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering. It was there that he met the love of his life, Maria Michael Economy. They married in August 1954, beginning a partnership filled with love and devotion.

Three years later, Basil earned his Doctorate in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University. He and Maria settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where they welcomed their two children, Frosene and Michael, into their lives.

Basil’s distinguished career led him to Fullerton, California, with Hunt Wesson Foods. He was a pioneer in food science, holding a patent in food oils and contributing to the development of iconic products such as microwave popcorn, Snack Pack pudding, and Hunt’s tomato sauce.

Beyond his professional achievements, Basil was deeply dedicated to his faith and community. He was a founding member of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim, California, serving as Parish Council President, Treasurer, and Building Committee Member. Later, he continued his service at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles as Treasurer.

Basil’s passions extended beyond the laboratory and church. He loved the outdoors—backpacking and fishing with Boy Scouts and church youth groups, tending to his olive ranch in California, crafting wood furniture, and nurturing his vegetable gardens. Gardening was more than a hobby; it was a way of life. He delighted in sharing the fruits of his labor—avocados, macadamia nuts, lemons, zucchini, tomatoes—but none brought him more joy than his beloved olives, earning him the affectionate title of the “Olive King” in Seattle.

In 1999, Basil and Maria moved to Seattle, where they found immense joy living near their grandchildren, Mikala and Trifon. They quickly became cherished members of Seattle’s Greek community. Basil especially loved cooking for St. John the Almsgiver and remained active at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, serving as Treasurer, cultivating church gardens, and selling his homemade jars of olives.

Basil will be remembered for his warm spirit, infectious humor, and simple yet profound gestures of kindness—like brightening someone’s day with daffodils from his garden, thoughtfully delivered to local bank tellers.

He is survived by his daughter, Frosene Sacco (John); his son, Michael Papahronis (Ingrid); his adored grandchildren, Mikala and Trifon; his brother, Harris (Alita); and many treasured nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Maria, and his brother, Chris.

A Trisagion and funeral will be held on February 10, 2025, at 12 pm at The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church – 1804 13th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. John the Almsgiver at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.

Basil’s life was a testament to faith, family, and community. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

9 Replies to "Memorial planned February 10 for Dr. Basil T. Papahronis, 1929-2025"

  • M February 4, 2025 (9:40 am)

    What an amazing life!!!! And what sweet face. God speed. 

  • KT February 4, 2025 (11:05 am)

    What an interesting life he led. Also, which 1970s school age kid did not have a snack pack pudding in their novelty lunch box?  I had forgotten all about those.  Butterscotch was my favorite.  Condolences to all who loved him.

  • Sean D February 4, 2025 (1:54 pm)

    Sounds like he lived a great life of 95yrs!

  • Kathleen February 4, 2025 (5:24 pm)

    Oh how I wish I knew him!  He sounds wonderful.  May his memory be a blessing.  

  • Laurie Iba February 4, 2025 (6:47 pm)

    Basil and Maria blessed the Alki School community with so much joy when they moved to Seattle to be near their grandchildren. They both volunteered their time and their talents. Maria was simply the best volunteer a teacher could ask for. She ruled the copy machine and always had a smile and something kind to say to everyone. Basil gifted many an Alki student by making wood rounds for camp necklaces and donated the most beautiful handmade wood bench which sat in the main hallway and was sat on for many years. The bench is being well looked after while the new building is being constructed. It will then be placed in a prominent area in the new school.❤️My life was made so much sweeter by Basil and Maria’s generosity and love. I know Maria is dancing in heaven now that she is reunited with the love of her life. Sending much love to Michael, Ingrid, Mikala and Trifon.💞

    • Trifon Papahronis February 5, 2025 (10:00 am)

      Mrs. Iba! It is so good to hear from you. Thank you so much for those kind words. I can’t believe it’s already been twenty years since I was in your class, but I still remember those days fondly. All the best!

  • Christine February 5, 2025 (9:14 am)

    Basil lived in the next block from me. He loved working in the garden, as do I, and he enjoyed sharing gardening tips with me. He composted his leaves every fall for spring use. Basil lived alone and worked outside until age 94. It has been a joy to know him a bit and I will miss him. Sadly, I never met his wife. Blessings to Basil’s family. 

  • Chris Duke February 5, 2025 (1:26 pm)

    Oh I’m so sorry to hear of his passing

    I lived directly accross the street from  Big B as we called him back when I lived in my parrents  Fullerton CA home . He taught me what mulch and composition was at an early age . He had me help wheele barrel it to his back yard . He also showed me the process of making Greek olives  from having me pick the olives  and what it took to get them jarred.  Looking back I might have been cheap labor for him  :)  I remember how excited we would be every 4th of July when Big B and another neighbor would rig up their own version of a Disney firework show for the neighborhood. Big B interduced me to the stock market one yearI belive it was  the summer of 1979 when he asked me to mow his lawn while on vaction for a few weeks. I was 13  so I  jumped at the chance to make a few summer bucks and anxiously awaited his return.  Big B walked accros the street with  envelop in hand knocked on the door, thanked me, handed me the envelope and left.  I quickly opened the envelop but to my surprise there was no money  just 2 Exxon corporation stock certificates , baffeled I turned to my mom and said  what the heck am I supose to do with this ?  Glad I held on to these I  ended up the nations highest paid gardener . 1984 my senior year in high school Big B came over and surpised me with 2 tickets to the Anaheim convention center to watch Olympic wrestling  what a great exsperiance that was.  I lived 18 years  accross the street from Big B and Mary who were  as close to 2nd parrents as  you could ever ask for . My mom was very close to them and was devestated when they packed up  and moved to Washington  but they  alway keept in touch.   We were lukly to have know them  and will remember them fondly .   

  • David Duke February 5, 2025 (1:49 pm)

    Basil will always be remembered in my mind and heart as a kind and loving man. We played frisbee golf, picked olives at the college and loved his finished product. His Greek olives were amazing, the best anywhere. Thanks Mr. P. For always being a kind and forgiving neighbor,  a man with the biggest smile. A smile that could always lift one’s spirit, he was a good a very good person.

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