Chris Compogiannis
Chris Compogiannis was born February 24, 1929 in Santa Barbara, California to Thomas and Eugenia Compogiannis, who emigrated from Greece in 1912. Chris and his older brother Stephen, and older sister Helen grew up in a small house on Bath street. They all worked at the family restaurant on State Street. Chris was active in student government in junior high and at Santa Barbara High School.
Chris attended UCLA and earned his degree in Finance, with the goal of becoming a stockbroker. Following his brother’s choice of military service, Chris enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became an officer. After the Korean War ended, Chris worked in Los Angeles initially in banking, and when the opportunity arose moved back to Santa Barbara in the mid 50’s to pursue his career as a stockbroker. A highly thought-of investor, Chris had many clients who never left him no matter what securities company he was working for. Chris loved researching the value of companies and their finances in order to make the best recommendations for his clients to invest. Chris also spent time teaching a finance class at UCLA.
Chris was very proud of his Greek Heritage and was very active in the local Greek Orthodox Church, and the Greek Fraternal Organization, AHEPA. Through his efforts Chris took the AHEPA college scholarship program from almost nothing to being worth a substantial amount; thereby helping many worthy applicants the opportunity to attend college. Chris worked for decades at the annual Greek Festival, being in charge of the finances. He also contributed Greek delicacies such as his famous spanakopita to the festival and at family gatherings.
Chris enjoyed leisure activities such as tennis and golf, belonging to several area clubs, and attempted to get out in the afternoons after the market closed to play a round or get a few sets in. He also owned a powerboat for a while and would take friends and family out to fish in the channel. Although he never married, Chris was very dedicated to his extended family including his sister and brother, his niece and nephews in Santa Barbara, and his cousins up in Sacramento. Chris was able to travel some, and had several memorable trips with his sister Helen, her husband John, and his brother Steve and his wife Anne.
Chris never retired. He loved his work that much. He did reduce his time in the office towards the end, but the internet provided him an outlet to continue his work. Chris also returned to the restaurant business later in life going into partnership with Matthew Crestenson operating mostly as the advisor and financial backer.
Chris is survived by his sister Helen, sister-in-law Anne, nephews Tom and Jim, niece Julie, lifelong friend Jim Chachakos, and many other dear friends such as Gilbert White, and Matthew Crestenson who acted as Chris’s caregiver late in life.