Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Sunday, August 06, 2006 at 05:13:17 :
Point Reyes Light - October 9, 2003
Mike Zigenis, 79, craftsman, father
By Larken Bradley
Mike Zigenis, a wood craftsman whose artfully carved redwood signs are displayed on businesses all over Point Reyes Station and Inverness, died Tuesday, Sept. 30, the result of a massive stroke suffered one week earlier. He was 79.
Craftsman
A retired painting contractor and the son of Greek immigrants, he and his wife, Nancy Zigenis, moved from Oakland to West Marin in the late 1970s. Soon after setting up his home workshop Mr. Zigenis began carving signs from salvaged timber and driftwood, which decorate the facades of buildings, including the Point Reyes Station Library, Papermill Creek Children’s Center, and inside the shop at Toby’s Feed Barn. His Motel Inverness sign is designed with a flying-bird motif.
His were labors of love as he seldom accepted payment for his work.
Born in Raton, New Mexico, on April 10, 1924, young Mike, whose given name was Manolis, was the youngest of seven children of native Cretans who came to the US by way of Ellis Island.
After arriving on American soil the family’s original name, Zigounakis, was abbreviated. Decades later, Mike Zigenis’ son would become the sole family member to readopt the clan’s original name.
After making stops in Chicago, Utah and New Mexico, his family moved their brood to Oakland. Mr. Zigenis attended high school there but dropped out during World War II to enlist in the US Army where he served as an airplane mechanic.
While stationed in Colorado he met his future wife, Nancy, the daughter of Dutch immigrants, as she walked her terrier in a park. "Dad loved animals," his son, George Zigounakis said, explaining part of the attraction.
They settled in Oakland where Mr. Zigenis worked as a house- and industrial painter. The couple also ran a mom-and-pop grocery store for a time.
Bodybuilder
As a younger man Mr. Zigenis worked out at muscleman Jack Lalanne’s Oakland gym and competed in Mr. America contests. "In his prime he had a body," his son recalled. "He was a short, muscular little Greek."
Added friend Phil Torres of Point Reyes Station, "he was strong as a bull."
In West Marin Mr. Zigenis became known as a gifted woodcraftsman and tinsmith. He crafted his own tools and shaped olive oil tins and Pennzoil cans into sleek metalwork. His trademark redwood signs are affixed to Dr. Crispin’s dental office, the Point Reyes Medical Clinic, the Western Saloon, and in Inverness at the Drake Highway Garage.
Golf cart adventures
After losing his driver’s license a few years back Mr. Zigenis zoomed around town in a yellow golf cart. He made the news one day after making a wrong turn on the way home and drove his battery-powered Cushman from Point Reyes Station to Tomales.
Only after reaching the Coast Guard Station at Two Rock did the cart lose its charge. From there a sheriff’s deputy drove him home where Mr. Zigenis said sheepishly to his family, "I guess I screwed up," his son laughed.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Zigenis of Point Reyes Station; son, George Zigounakis of Inverness; daughter, Mary Zigenis of Coos Bay, Oregon; brother, John Yanni Zigenis of Clear Lake; grandson, Dylan Zigenis of San Diego; and granddaughter, Heather Zigenis of Oakland.
A memorial service will be held the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Zigenis family home at Lorraine and Manana in Point Reyes Station.
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