Charles A. Anezis, 83, of Danvers, a former public relations executive for Hamilton Sunstrand and its parent corporation, United Technologies of Hartford, CT, died Saturday, January 2, 2010. He was the husband of Ellie (Bougas) Anezis, with whom he shared nearly fifty years of marriage.
Born in Peabody on Sept. 3, 1926, he was the son of the late Arion and Mary (Georges) Anezis. He was raised and educated in Peabody and was a graduate of Peabody High School, Class of 1944 and Boston University. He served honorably in the US Army during WWII.
His 44-year career in public relations included directing the company’s media relations for the series of Apollo space flights that successfully landed American astronauts on the moon. He conducted media briefings and provided reporters with information about vital equipment United Technologies supplied to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the Apollo missions. Included were the space suits and life support systems that sustained the astronauts’ lives inside the lunar module that landed on the moon and space walks during orbital flights on the moon’s surface.
Mr. Anezis handled similar news-media responsibilities for United Technologies in the early flights of NASA’s space shuttle. Retiring from United in 1983, he operated his own business, specializing in communications and consulting services for high tech companies until his retirement in 1994. He was a newspaper reporter in New Hampshire and Rhode Island before entering the public relations field.
Surviving him in addition to his wife are his daughters, Lisa Marie Anezis of Newton and Nina E. Anezis and grandchildren Alexis and Zachary, all of Manchester-by-the-Sea, his brothers John and Salon Anezis, both of West Peabody, and their families, including 8 nieces and nephews and their spouses and 19 great nieces and nephews.
His Funeral Service will be Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 11AM in C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Wednesday prior to the service from 9:30 until 10:45AM. Donations in Mr. Anezis’ memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or the American Heart Assoc., 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.