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At the age of six,
Zannis L. Res who was born on the island of Chios, in Greece, was exposed
to the church's Byzantine music. That's when he became an apprentice
under the instructions of his uncle, Nicholas Res. Side-by-side he stood
with his uncle, and chanted at Panagia Erithiani Greek Orthodox Church, in
the city of Vrontados. In 1951 at the age of sixteen, he left his
apprenticeship, when he had the opportunity to work on the Greek
commercial ships as a chief steward.
Then in 1961 Zannis
married his neighbor, Athina V. Gialouris. In time, Zannis and Athina
became the parents of two sons, Leontios (Leo) and Vasilios (Bill).
Zannis and his
family traveled to Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1963 where he enrolled in an
international culinary arts school (LEEP). After studying for two years,
Zannis returned to Chios where he once again served on the Greek ships.
In 1970, George M. Lovanos, a ship owner, offered Zannis the position of
head chef of all the banquet facilities both in Switzerland and Greece,
owned by Lovanos (Scio Shipping Corporation).
During his shipping career, Zannis also had the opportunity to return to
Chios periodically for four to five months. That's when he resumed his
duties as cantor, chanting with his uncle at the church.
The year 1974 was a
turnaround year for Zannis and his family. "I'd been around the world
many times, worked on the ships for twenty-five years. It was time to do
something else," he says. That's when he decided to come to Ann Arbor,
where his Uncle Ted lived. Once settled, Zannis began working at what was
then called the Stadium Restaurant. Today Zannis is retired, and
works part-time at Arby's at the Briarwood mall.
Zannis began assisting psalti Orestes Varonis at Saint Nicholas Church
during the 1980s. When Orestes left in 1985, Zannis became the cantor
following approval by
Rev. Father John Paul and the
Parish Council.
Athina is a
seamstress in addition to her household duties and taking care of her
family. The eldest son, Leo is retired from N.T.N. Tech were he worked
as a metallurgist. He received his technical training in Ohio. Bill, who
earned a degree in marketing at Eastern Michigan University, is the
General Manager at the Original Cottage Inn, Ann Arbor. Both sons also
work as travel agents. Zannis and Athina's eldest son Leo, is married to
Helen Christopher, of Toronto, and the have a daughter named Athina and a
son names Zannis.
Zannis is very committed to his family. That is the reason he left his
career in the shipping industry and came to America. He wanted to spend
more time with his wife and two sons.
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