LOWELL - Mr. Charles J. Behrakis, 97, passed away peacefully on Monday September 16, 2024 with his loving family by his side at D’Youville Manor in Lowell.
Charlie was born on July 27, 1927 in Lowell, Massachusetts, a son of the late Drakoulis and Stella (Zaroulis) Behrakis. He was the loving husband of forty-nine years to June (Skaff) Behrakis who passed on October 4, 2020.
A lifelong resident of Lowell, Charlie graduated from Lowell High School. He later went on to attend Georgia University where he received a Degree in Engineering/Mathematics. He served his country toward the end of World War II, where he was stationed in Washington State and California.
Charlie worked for over 35 years for the Department of Welfare for the State of Massachusetts. He was a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Lowell. Other memberships included The Order of the AHEPA, Lowell Chapter and the Lowell-Greek American Legion.
Charlie had many interests including gardening, reading history and finance as well as tinkering and puttering around the house with his many home improvement projects. He was proud to be the original “do it yourself” guy fixing and repairing most anything. He enjoyed daily morning coffee with his close childhood friends from the old “Acre” neighborhood trading jokes, stories, talking politics and world events. Charlie, his brother George, and their circle of friends would often engage in golf matches resulting in more laughs and a deepening of their childhood bond, which he cherished. Charlie and June enjoyed entertaining family, most notably hosting an annual grand cookout by their poolside which was the highlight of the summer.
He is survived by his brother George D. Behrakis and his wife Margo; While Charlie and June had no children of their own, they took great pride in their many nieces, nephews and spouses who include Drake G Behrakis, Stephanie M. Behrakis, Joanna B. Yianopoulos, Elena Behrakis Frankel, Gail Philipon, Steve Koukias, Peter Arsenault ,DMD Jeffrey L. Arsenault and Laurie Andersson, as well as two very special neighbors, Kathy and Elizabeth Economopoulos, whom they considered family. Their love and devotion also extended to over a dozen great nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his siblings, Carl J. Behrakis, Erene (Behrakis) Koukias and her husband Alexander, and Ourania Behrakis.
Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 62 Lewis Street, Lowell from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. His Funeral Service will begin at 11:00 am. Interment will follow in Westlawn Cemetery II. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, donations may be made in Charlies’ name to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Funeral arrangements under the direction FAZIO FUNERAL HOME, funeral director, Louis M. Fazio III. Please visit www.faziofuneralhomecom to express your condolences.