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. Though her brothers and sisters 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.
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. Family remember her gathering vegetables and fruit in her apron to share 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 Goddaughter Daylina; grandchildren, Nick Aftias (Rhiannon), Thomas Aftias (Edlyn), Alexa Aftias-Mertz, Christine Aftias-Sanchez (Anthony), and Michael Aftias; seven great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Vasilia Kritikos of Montreal, Quebec; and many cherished nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Funeral Services
A Trisagion Service will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.
The Funeral Service will be celebrated on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church, Stockton, California.
The family welcomes all who wish to join them in celebrating Kiki’s life, faith, and enduring legacy of love, kindness, and devotion to family.
May Her Memory Be Eternal
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Aftias family.