Socratis S. Tingas, age 86 of Tewksbury, passed away on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at Saints Medical Center in Lowell, surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with cancer. For 57 years, he was the beloved husband of KiKi (Cocalis) Tingas.
He was born in Manchester, NH on May 23, 1923 son of the late Stefanos and Orania Tingas.
Socratis grew up in Thessalia Greece and traveled back to the US in 1948. He worked in Boston where he learned the restaurant business. In 1952 he married Vasiliki "KiKi" Cocalis and also opened the Olympia Restaurant where he has been co-owner with his brother-in-law Peter Cocalis for 57 years. He loved working in the restaurant business and once said he would not have wanted any other career but what he chose. When he opened the Olympia in 1952 he hired a chef and his customers were disappointed, so he fired the chef and took on the challenge of mastering Greek cuisine from an old Greek cookbook. The Olympia is a landmark in Lowell's Acre neighborhood and Socratis was very proud of his accomplishment.
Throughout his long illness, Socratis never lost his faith and zest for life. He was a generous person who helped many family members and friends in need. He volunteered and chanted at the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Dracut and was a member of the Parish Council for seven years. Socratis was also a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
Besides his wife KiKi Tingas, he is survived by his three children, Stephen Tingas, Nancy Bhatia and Arthur Tingas; one brother, Theofanis Tingas of Dracut; one sister, Eleni Pliakos of Thessaly, Greece; his three grandchildren, Mia McMahon, Nicole Santry and Sanjay Bhatia; three great grandchildren, Paul, Stephen and Emma Santry; also many dear relatives and friends. He was the brother of the late Athanasios Tingas, of Charlotte, NC.
Relatives and friends will be received at the M. R. LAURIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 295 Pawtucket St., Lowell, on Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 3 to 7pm. His funeral will take place on Thursday morning from the ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN MARY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH in Dracut at 10 o'clock followed by a Funeral Service at 11 o'clock. Friends are asked to please meet at church. Interment will follow in Westlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, 1160 Mammoth Rd., Dracut, MA 01826.