Charles H. Kotseas, age 87, passed to another place in time on Wednesday evening, April 11, 2012, with his beloved Eleni (Helen), devoted wife of sixty-six years lying beside him. His three daughters, Paula Anderson, Andrea Kotseas and Vickie McMahon were holding his hands when he spoke. “You are my loving and wonderful daughters, and I am very proud of you for the quality and dignity that you bring to my name.” Then he voiced softly, “Eleni, I will wait for you in heaven.” Charlie was predeceased by his precious and brave daughter, Connie DiVincentis. Now they will be together again. Charles had much to be proud of when speaking of his grandchildren and great-grandchild because they are all intelligent, well-educated, well-mannered, kind and thoughtful people. He leaves his grandson, Marc DiVincentis, his wife, Danielle and his great-grandson, Anthony Divincentis, his grandson, Brett C. Anderson, his granddaughters, Cali and Cristi O’Connor, his son-in-law, George McMahon and his grandsons, Christopher Pierson and Nicholas McMahon. We know his wish is that all his grandchildren continue to make a positive imprint on this world. Charles leaves friends and loved ones in Greece, with whom he kept in close touch on a weekly basis. In fact, he spoke with his dear nephew in Greece on the evening previous to his passing, saying, “Einai oti einai,” (It is what it is.) He looked forward to the frequent visits and lunches he shared with his sisters, Mary, Venus and Ginny, escorted by Ginny’s husband, Steve. A fourth sister, Georgia, does not live locally. Charlie was predeceased by his brother, Paul, and sisters, Helen and Claire. He also enjoyed the company of the many “brothers of the church”, while he played cards and drank Greek coffee at the Ahepa. Of note are two who made him especially happy, his buddy, Dennis Dionis, and Teddy Tembenis, his wife’s cousin. These are the family and friends who mattered to him, so thank you to all of you for being there for him.
Charles was the epicenter of activity, always thinking, planning and working. He gave from his heart to St. Spyridon’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester and to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Webster. He was constant, consistent and generous in supporting church activities. In addition, he and his brother, Paul, funded the construction of a small village church that their father had begun in Ioanina, Greece. In 1990, Charles was inducted as an “archon” of the church by the Greek Archdiocese of North and South America, in a ceremony held in New York City. Charles served his country in United States Navy as a radioman during World War II, doing much of his service in the Phillipines. His feelings of patriotism and dedication to the mission of organized fraternity continued following the war. Charles was a long time member of the Lion’s Club, and a life time member of the Veterans of Foreign War and the Brotherhood of the Masons. He was a sustaining member of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, and was a member of The American Legion, the AARP and affiliated with his naval service he was a member of the United States LST Association.
Charles never really retired because he kept his hands and mind active concerning his commercial real estate business. He and his brother, Paul, started Phillip’s Market in the latter part of the 1940’s, with locations in Auburn and Whitinsville. Eventually, real estate became his business. Unfortunately, Charles was plagued by the triple whammy of congestive heart failure, diabetes and kidney failure, but that did not prevent him from carrying on business as usual. He was brave, valiant and dignified in his approach to dealing with the woes of the diseases. He leaves the fruits of his labors to Eleni who cried quietly and then sobbed noisily at his passing. His daughters, Paula, Andrea and Vickie, and the memories of Connie are his fruits which have made him burst with pride.
In the style of “The Spoon River Anthology”, a poem by Edgar Lee Masters, Charlie would have written his elegy, “I worked hard, never gave up, shared and cared about people, the environment and my wonderful wife and daughters. I made mistakes from which I learned, and I am thankful for God’s love and forgiveness. My final wish is that the evil people of this world STOP being so!”
A private service so his family could say their prayers for him prior to interment was held at O’Connor Brothers Funeral Home, Worcester, officiated by Father Dean Paleologos. If you would like to make a donation in the honor and memory of Charles H. Kotseas, the Family Center Building Fund of St. Spyridon’s Cathedral was very dear to his heart. Other options are The American Heart Association, The Diabetes Association and The National Kidney Foundation.
John Lennon sang, “All you need is LOVE.” Dad, no one else will ever know how much you loved us. Thank you for who you were to us in life and to all the lessons of love and memories you planted for us. Your presence is still strong in our hearts. See you later.