In Loving Memory of
Kiriaki “Kiki” Aftias
June 9, 1934 – July 1, 2026
Kiriaki “Kiki” Aftias passed away peacefully at home on July 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of her three children, who held her hands as she entered eternal rest. She was 92 years old.
Born in the village of Kokkari on the island of Samos, Greece, Kiki was the beloved daughter of Dimitri and Kaliope Yeralis. She was the youngest of nine children and remained, in many ways, the cherished “baby” of the family throughout her life. Though her brothers often treated her as their little sister, Kiki adored each of her siblings and treasured the close bonds they shared.
Her childhood was shaped by hard work, devotion to family, and resilience. She attended school through the fourth grade before leaving to help her parents at home. She often walked miles with her brother Stavros to bring food to her older sister Maria, whose exceptional intelligence had enabled her to attend high school at a very young age.
As a teenager in Kokkari, Kiki met Nicolaos “Nick” Aftias, the young man who would become her husband and lifelong companion. After Nick immigrated to Montreal, Canada, he soon sent for Kiki, and they were married in 1954. Together they built a life founded on faith, family, and perseverance. They quickly learned English, though Kiki's unique and endearing expressions became affectionately known by family members as “Kiki-isms.”
In 1958, Kiki and Nick moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, with their two children and opened the Village Inn Restaurant. Kiki balanced the many roles of homemaker, mother, and business partner while welcoming a third child into the family.
The family moved to Lodi, California, in 1968 so Kiki could be reunited with her beloved brothers and sisters. She worked at the New Yorker Restaurant until 1974 when she and Nick partnered with their nieces and nephews, Dr. Ken and Angie Frangadakis and Michael and Patti Frangadakis, to open Yasoo Yani Restaurant in downtown Stockton. Kiki became a beloved fixture behind the cash register. Gifted with numbers and blessed with a remarkable memory, she greeted customers warmly and remembered details about their families long after they left the restaurant.
Kiki and Nick were devoted parishioners of St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church. She was an active member of Philoptochos and the Lodi Hellenic Society. Her nieces and nephews remember her as kind, gentle, and loving—always greeting them by name and ending every conversation with, “I love you.”
She found joy tending her fruitful farm, gathering vegetables and fruit in her apron, and filling her home with the fragrance of oregano drying on the table. Her life was a beautiful expression of hospitality, faith, hard work, and unconditional love for her family.
Kiki was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 70 years, Nicolaos“Nick”Aftias, her parents, Dimitri and Kaliopi; brothers Anathasios, Stavros, Michael; and sisters Kostandina, Argyro, Eleni, Maria and an infant sibling. She is survived by her children, Fotini Maria Aftias, Licourgos “Leo” Aftias, and Dimitri “Jim” Aftias (Susan); her grandchildren, Nick Aftias (Rhiannon), Thomas Aftias (Edlyn), Alexa Aftias-Mertz, Christine Aftias-Sanchez (Anthony), and Michael Aftias; six great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Vasilia Kritikos of Montreal, Quebec; and many cherished nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
May Her Memory Be Eternal
VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 4:00pm - 8:00pm with a Trisagion starting at 6:00pm on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.
SERVICE
A service will be held at 10:00am on Friday, July 10, 2026 at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, located at 920 W March Ln, Stockton, CA 95207. The final committal will follow at 1:30pm on Friday July 10, 2026 at Cherokee Memorial Park, located off Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi CA, 95240.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church memorial fund.
Please leave your condolences below.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Aftias family.
