Arthur Karafelis, 87, passed away Monday May 4th at the Blaire House in Tewksbury.
Born October 12, 1921 in Lowell, Massachusetts a son of the late Antonios and Vasilike(Katsikas) Karafelis.
Mr. Karafelis attended the Chelmsford Public Schools and was a graduate of Chelmsford High School .
He joined the United States Army and served in the 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division during World War II. He received two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantry Badge, having participated in the Battle of the Bulge, the crossing of the Rhine and finishing his tour in Czechoslovakia liberating the Falkenau Concentration Camp.
Upon his return to the States, he worked at the Boston Naval Shipyard for over 30 years as a Nuclear Welder until his retirement in 1973.
Mr. Karafelis was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Society of the 1st Division and the Disabled American Veterans.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Mary (Rouses) Karafelis of Lowell; two sons, Anthony David Karafelis of Lowell, Dr. Plato Karafelis and his wife Sharon of CT.; two grandchildren, Alexis and Chloe Karafelis; two brothers, Harry Karafelis of Kansas, James Karafelis and his wife Elaine of Nashua, N.H.; three sisters, Magdeline Visniewski of California, Eva Karafelis of Florida, Helen Willey of Florida; also several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Karafelis was the brother to the late Alex Karafelis.
A private funeral service was held from the M.R. LAURIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, Lowell on Wednesday May 6th. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to a charity of your choice or you can simply thank a veteran for their service to our country. Interment was in Westlawn Cemetery.