In Memoriam Harry Zavos

It is with great sadness, the Glendale Coalition for Better Government regrets to inform our members and the public about the death of our founding board member Harry Zavos. Harry’s health had deteriorated of late. Over the past months he had sought treatment at the Scripps Hospital in San Diego. He received care from experts in the field with the oversight of his family who also lived in San Diego and worked at Scripps. With the continued deterioration in his health, Harry moved to San Diego in the past two months where he was cared for by his family.

Harry Zavos had received a BA in Philosophy from Wayne State University, a PhD in speech communication from the State University of Iowa and a JD from Loyola Law School. He was an associate professor at Cal State University at Los Angeles and professor emeritus at Loyola Law School, having retired eight years ago.

Despite his weakened condition, Harry remained informed of political developments in Glendale and the involvement of the Glendale Coalition in city affairs.  In recognition of his contribution to the city of Glendale and the Glendale Coalition for Better Government, all members of the Board visited him in San Diego and presented him with a commemorative jacket as a founding member.

Furthermore, in recognition of his commitment to Glendale, he was awarded in May 2017 a commendation by the newly elected council member Vrej Agajanian which was also personally delivered to him by a board members. Harry was very pleased to have been recognized for his efforts.

Over the past 15 years, Harry engaged Glendale City Council on numerous issues with eloquence, grace, civility and impeccable logic. His advocacy and involvement in a wide range of topics from the hillside ordinance, to development in downtown Glendale, to violations of city charter and to violations of the California constitution under proposition 26 and 218 earned him the affectionate title of the People’s Attorney.

Incontestably the brightest star of our organization, his brilliance was contagious and inspiring to all who had the honor to have worked with him. His commitment to the Coalition and its principles was unwavering. Harry will be missed as a mentor, a friend and a role model.

He is survived by his son Nicholas (Charlotte); his grandchildren Madeleine, Henry, and James; his sister Annie (Panos) Pentheroudakis, nephews Phillip Giannikas and Manoli (Nicole) Pentheroudakis, niece Eleni (Giuseppe) Ammirati, and Grandnieces and nephews Emanuele, Chiara, Anna, Nicolas, and Sasha. Harry was predeceased by his parents Nicholas and Helen Zavos, and by his grandson Owen.

Funeral services are scheduled for June 10, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Saint Sophia Cathedral, Los Angeles located at 1324 Normandie Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006. Harry had requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Glendale Coalition For Better Government.